Mary Patricia Vasquez Neeland

Mrs. Neeland died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at her home.

She was born Aug. 30, 1924, in Cherryvale, the daughter of Avelino Andrew and Mary Garcia Vasquez. She attended nurses’ training at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Mrs. Neeland was an office manager at Johnson County Orthopedics in Olathe for many years until she retired in 1990. She had worked at Sunflower Ordnance plant for 10 years. She served two terms on the De Soto City Council and helped in the city’s pool and sidewalk projects. She was a member of De Soto Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher. She was a softball coach, Boy Scout den mother, player on the De Soto Squaws softball team, lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post No. 6654 in De Soto and active with the Johnson County Women’s Democratic Assn.

She married Charles Henry Neeland Jr. on May 26, 1945, in Independence, Kan. He died Dec. 5, 1998.

Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Ann Neeland, Pittsburgh; two sons, Robert Alan Neeland and Charles “Duke” H. Neeland III, both of De Soto; a sister, Josephine Hale, Arma; a brother, Floyd Barnhart, Howard; and five grandchildren.

Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

The family suggests memorials to Olathe Hospice or Alzheimer’s Assn., sent in care of Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center St., Gardner 66030.