Charles "Charlie" Neel

Charles “Charlie” Neel, age 92, of Delaware City, DE, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Born in Delaware City, DE, on August 1, 1930, he was a son of the late Joseph and Alberta (Sheridan) Neel. Charlie worked for many years at his late wife’s family grocery store, Clover Farms. He retired from OxyChem after working for 27 years as a maintenance supervisor. Charlie played baseball, softball, basketball, some football, and finally golf, later in life. He played on and managed many teams in various types of leagues, including the fire company and OxyChem. Charlie was a proud member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and dedicated volunteer of the Delaware City Fire Company. Throughout his 75 years of service to the fire company he served in many capacities, including Assistant Chief, Fire Chief, Chief Emeritus, honorary member of the Ladies Auxiliary, and as a chairman of the Board of Directors. During Charlie’s tenure with the fire company, he was recognized as Firefighter of the Year in 1988 and 1995 and was inducted into the DVFA Firefighters Hall of Fame in 1996. He also dedicated many years to the Delaware City Lions Club and held the position of King Lion for a few years. Charlie was a great man who loved his family, his church, and his volunteer work with many organizations. In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Jane; daughter and son-in-law, C. Ivy and Robert Costango; grandson, Richard Neel; great-great-granddaughter, Josephine Reed; and son-in-law, Ronald Migliavacca, Sr. He is survived by his three children, Nancy Migliavacca of Delaware City, Charles I. Neel (Kitt) of Bear, and Emilie L. Garrett (Lewis) of Bear; brother, Joseph Neel; half-sister, Charlene Whitehead; grandchildren, Cindy, Craig, Brett, Tammy, Brandon, Kellie, Megan, and Kara; 21 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 noon on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 309 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 12 noon. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 4127, Delaware City, DE 19706 or to the Delaware City Fire Company, P.O. Box 251, Delaware City, DE 19706 or online by clicking here.

Charles "Charlie" Neel

August 1, 1930 - July 4, 2023