1914
Oscar
2012
Oscar 'Ozzie' Neva
August 16, 1914 — October 14, 2012
Oscar Joseph Neva, 98, of Shelby passed peacefully October 14, 2012 in his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. William’s Catholic Church, immediately followed by a reception at St. William’s Parish Hall. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Whitted Funeral Chapel of Shelby is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Survivors include sons Les (Janice) of Eagle, Idaho, Rick of Shelby, Don of Shelby, and Mike of Kuna, Idaho; grandchildren April, Danny, Chris, David, and Juli; great-grandchild Mason; brother Al of Shelby.
Oscar was preceded in death by wife, Mabel; infant daughters Debra Kay and Nancy Lynne; his parents, Andrew and Jennie Neva; brothers Harry, Tom, and Roman; sisters Elizabeth Lockhart, Mary Ruddy, Katherine Benda, and Florence Penski.
Oscar was born August 16, 1914 in Courtenay, ND, the seventh of nine children. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Buchanan, ND. In 1935, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in camps in Medora, ND and Boise, ID. He received his degree in Economics from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. In April of 1942, shortly before graduation, he began his service in the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Wahpeton, ND where he and other family members owned and operated a restaurant. He and brother Al moved to Montana, finally settling in Shelby. Over the years, he played music with his brother Al, owned and operated a local flower shop, and established a career with the United States Postal Service, retiring as Postmaster in 1983. He married Mabel McAlpine on November 9, 1957.
He was life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2484 and a member of St. William’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing baseball in his youth, but his true passion was coaching little league. For nearly 40 years, he provided the musical entertainment for the Marias River Electric annual meeting. He also enjoyed gardening and was a masterful card player.
He was a quiet and humble natured man and will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Survivors include sons Les (Janice) of Eagle, Idaho, Rick of Shelby, Don of Shelby, and Mike of Kuna, Idaho; grandchildren April, Danny, Chris, David, and Juli; great-grandchild Mason; brother Al of Shelby.
Oscar was preceded in death by wife, Mabel; infant daughters Debra Kay and Nancy Lynne; his parents, Andrew and Jennie Neva; brothers Harry, Tom, and Roman; sisters Elizabeth Lockhart, Mary Ruddy, Katherine Benda, and Florence Penski.
Oscar was born August 16, 1914 in Courtenay, ND, the seventh of nine children. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Buchanan, ND. In 1935, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in camps in Medora, ND and Boise, ID. He received his degree in Economics from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. In April of 1942, shortly before graduation, he began his service in the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Wahpeton, ND where he and other family members owned and operated a restaurant. He and brother Al moved to Montana, finally settling in Shelby. Over the years, he played music with his brother Al, owned and operated a local flower shop, and established a career with the United States Postal Service, retiring as Postmaster in 1983. He married Mabel McAlpine on November 9, 1957.
He was life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2484 and a member of St. William’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing baseball in his youth, but his true passion was coaching little league. For nearly 40 years, he provided the musical entertainment for the Marias River Electric annual meeting. He also enjoyed gardening and was a masterful card player.
He was a quiet and humble natured man and will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
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