Dixie Lee "Neal" Verstoppen

January 3, 1933 – November 15, 2020

Dixie Lee Neal, age 87, of John Day and former long-time resident of Dayton, Wash., passed away on November 15, 2020 with her loving family by her side.

Dixie was born January 3, 1933 in Dayton, Wash., to Bonnie Randolph and was later adopted by her loving stepfather Robert Neal. She graduated from Dayton High and married Fred Verstoppen on August 15, 1951 in Dayton, Wash. Together they welcomed four children, Mike, David, Debbie, and Kathie to the family.

Fred and Dixie owned Fred's Furniture and the Dairy Queen in Pendleton, Ore. After the sale of their businesses she went to work as the payroll supervisor for Eastern Oregon State Hospital, she retired in 1986.

Dixie was a Lutheran, enjoyed crafts, sewing and was a lifetime member of the Eagles.

She is preceded death by her parents, Bonnie Randolph, and Robert Neal; one grandson, Jeremy Maben.

Survivors include her daughters, Kathie (Jeff) Maben and Debbie (John) Cramer, sons; Mike and David (Wendy) Verstoppen; sisters, Darla Cooper and Carol Forney Clayton; brother, Paul Forney her caretaker and a very close friend of the family, Harriett Burton; seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and three great- great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at the Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, Wash., in late spring or early summer of 2021.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, Oregon 97845.