Helen Louise "Lou" (Lucas) McNeal

Helen Louise “Lou” McNeal, 89, of North Vernon, passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at her residence.

Born February 4, 1932, in Marian County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late William Abe and Cora Mae (Walls) Lucas. She married Philip McNeal on March 4, 1964, in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on September 20, 2011. She had been previously married to Todd Oliver.

Helen was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing, playing cards, and going to the casino. She loved spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Larry J. (Debbie) Oliver of Columbus; daughters, Linda D. Martin of Seymour, Connie L. (Pharis) Philpot of Brownstown, and Debra J. Bennett of Columbus; sister, Edith Mae Minks of Louisville, Kentucky; grandchildren, John E. Martin and Craig Martin, both of Seymour, Joshua T. (Jodi) Oliver and Travis J. (Marianne) Oliver, both of Mt. Auburn, Cora R. (J.T.) Philpot of Franklin, and Kylie M. Bennett, David Philpot and Phillip E. Bennett, all of Columbus; and great-grandchildren, Ava Martin of Seymour, and James E. Oliver, Piper Oliver, Gage Oliver and Joey Oliver, all of Mt. Auburn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Clarence E. Oliver; daughter, Patricia Oliver; son-in-law, John Martin; siblings, twins, Robert and Ray Lucas, Paul Lucas, Edward Lucas, Beatrice Kyle, Geneva Everage, Virginia Bowling, and Dorothy Stewart.

A funeral service for Helen will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in honor of Helen through the funeral home to Our Hospice of Jennings County, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Good Samaritan Food Pantry.

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