Neil Stanford Allison, 72, Warsaw, entered his eternal home at 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. He passed away at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake.

He was born Sept. 28, 1947, in Fort Meade, Md. to Roy and Ruth (McCombie) Allison. Roy, Ruth and Neil moved to Winona Lake, in 1948 so Roy could attend Grace Seminary. On Jan. 9, 1971, he was married to Leana Faith (Lauster) Allison, who survives.

He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1965 and attended Grace College for his Freshman year before deciding to volunteer for the United States Army. He received an Honorable Discharge after having served three years in the Army; nearly two years of his service being in Vietnam.

Upon his return to Winona Lake, he began his printing career at Free Methodist Publishing House that spanned 19 years. He began as a press operator and finished as the pressroom supervisor. Neil also worked at two printing companies in Fort Wayne for 12 years before accepting a management position at the Grace College Print Shop. After ten years in that role, he retired in 2011.

He enjoyed participating in sports, but softball was his favorite. For 25 years, he was the Pitcher on several city league teams and his church league team as well. During the winter months, he enjoyed participating in bowling leagues in Warsaw. He also enjoyed playing golf, tennis, ping pong, water skiing, snow skiing, fishing and biking. In addition, he enjoyed singing as he was in the high school choir, church choir and the men’s quartet.

His faith was evident in how he lived his life and he was very active in his church. He was a member of Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church and he served as a financial officer. In his later years, he was a regular attender at Pleasant View Bible Church. Ministry was always important to him and upon his retirement, he became a volunteer driver for Fellowship Missions. He would drive residents to various appointments as far away as Fort Wayne and Kokomo. He enjoyed being a friend to those in need and being a testimony to the men he would transport.

He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Leana Allison, Warsaw; son:  Scott (Amy) Allison, Columbia City; daughter: Heidi (Brian) Barrick, Whitmore Lake, Mich.; three granddaughters:  Shelby Allison, Ainsley and Ellie Barrick; and his sister: Patricia (Dave) Mikel, Nappanee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Kathleen “Kathy” Allison.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Neil Allison’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Mike Hontz. There will also be visitation an hour prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #49 and V.F.W. #1126 both of Warsaw and members of the Army Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN  46590; or to Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw, IN 46580 and would be appreciated by her family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.