Neal J. McDermott, 81, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2024.

Visitation for Neal will be held from.3 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 p.m.  Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on day at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Neal will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa.  Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Epworth American Legion post# 650.

Born on September 11, 1943, in Placid, Iowa, Neal was the son of Cyril and Viola (Delaney) McDermott. He graduated from Epworth High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts from Roosevelt College in Chicago.

In 1968, Neal proudly enlisted in the Navy, serving a year in Vietnam. He married the love of his life, Catherine (Kate) Kluesner, in 1970, and together they raised three wonderful children, creating a lifetime of memories.

Neal taught at Bellevue High School for five years before spending 35 years as a manager at Flynn Ready Mix in Dubuque. He was a proud 53-year member of Post 650 Legion in Epworth, where he actively participated in local events. Neal loved a good ball game. He played for and managed the Epworth semi-pro baseball team for many years, as well as coached and managed numerous Dubuque County Legion teams. In 2015, he was inducted into the Iowa American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame. He loved cooking for his family, watching his Cubs and Hawkeyes, winning at cards, and reading.

Neal had a big sense of humor and a bigger heart. He would do anything for his family though he wasn't afraid to call a spade a spade. In fact, he relished the opportunity. Anyone who knew him knew his wit and his infectious laugh. Neal's stories and sayings will be shared long into the future and will continue to make his family, friends, and acquaintances smile. Above all, he took great pride in being a grandpa, cherishing every moment spent with his eight grandchildren.

Neal is survived by his wife, Kate; his three children, Matt (Jodie) McDermott, Jed McDermott (Felicia Moss), and Megan (Josh) Lucas; and eight grandchildren: Mollie, Ellie, Colin, and Cloie McDermott; Jack and Eli McDermott; and Maddie and Savannah Lucas. He is also survived by his siblings, Dorance (Verna) McDermott, Phyllis (Darris) Goerdt, and Julie Casey, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law Helen (Donnie) Nauman, Mary (Stan) Schueller, Linda (Paul) Burds, Paul (Joyce) Kluesner, Mike (Karen) Kluesner, John Smith, and Marianne Burell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Viola McDermott; his mother and father-in-law, Clarence and Stella Kluesner; his sister, Lois Smith; his sister, Mary Catherine McDermott (in infancy); his brother, Dennis McDermott; his brother-in-law, Donnie Casey; and his sister-in-law, Doris (Jerry) Lahey.

The family would like to thank the VA, Hospice of Dubuque and Home Instead, especially Erin Ulbrich.