Mr. Gifford Wendell Neill Sr.

Gifford Wendell Neill Sr. (May 23, 1924 – February 3, 2024) passed away peacefully in Goshen, IN. He was 99 years old (only 100 days or so shy of 100!). He was faithful and beloved. Gifford grew up in Connecticut on a farm with his parents (Thomas & Emma) and sister (Barbara). He was an awkward boy genius who loved to tinker with radios and electronics. After high school, he joined the Navy and fought in WWII aboard the USS Topeka. While in the Navy, he had an encounter with Christ that would change the course of his life. Aboard the ship, he was lonely and often read the New Testament for solace. Later, he studied engineering at Carnegie Tech (now CMU) in Pittsburgh, where he met and married Marjorie Yvonne Minster (1947). Gifford and Marjorie were married for more than 50 years. In their old age she still referred to him as her boyfriend. Together, they moved to Connecticut and embarked on a lifetime of adventures that included raising seven children. (Gifford had always wanted a dozen.) Their family life was noisy and colorful and included dances in the kitchen and evening bedtime story read-alouds with Gifford sitting at the top of the stairs. Gifford’s deepening commitment to the Christian life prompted him to attend a conference in Erie, PA in 1969 that touched him deeply. He was inspired by a vision of what church could look like and moved the family to Akron, OH to participate in a new kind of church life. The family would ultimately move to Indianapolis, Chicago, and Streamwood for the sake of the local church. In all of these cities, Gifford and Marjorie were known for their warm hospitality, often hosting and housing friends. Gifford was happiest when his house was full of life and the sounds of hymn singing. Professionally, Gifford was an electronics engineer who worked well into his 80s. He had an active mind and a workshop full of engineering supplies that his grandkids loved to explore. In his midlife, Gifford had a handful of serious heart attacks. In response, he radically changed his lifestyle. For the next 40+ years, he ate a low-fat, low-sugar diet and got plenty of exercise. He grew an organic vegetable garden and researched various aspects of health and longevity. His commitment to health meant that he survived prostate cancer, remained intellectually sharp, and maintained a walking regimen well into his 90s. Gifford is survived by his seven children (Gifford Jr., Patricia, Yvonne, Thomas, Shirley, Mary, and John), 21 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and all their fabulous spouses. He was delighted to have more than fifty direct descendants. Gifford’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember his legendary attic full of books, along with his read-alouds, storytelling, sudden bursts of laughter, and penchant for engaging in political debate. His legacy of intellectual curiosity, hospitality and Christ-following continues to inspire those who knew and loved him. Family and Friends will meet Saturday, February 17, 2024 for a Visitation from 2:00 P.M. until time of funeral service 4:00 P.M.. A Navy Honors Service will follow the funeral Ceremony at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner of Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos, and videos. For those of you that would have attended services and would like to express your condolences please click on the "Share A Memory" link above and you can leave a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card, please feel free to send it to Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60169 c/o the Family; we will gladly forward it on to the family. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169.

Mr. Gifford Wendell Neill Sr.

May 23, 1924 - February 3, 2024