Gerald E. Neyhart

Gerald E. Neyhart

(Gary/Pops)

03/26/1946 - 07/02/2025

Gary was the first born child of the late Harry Gerald Neyhart and Marian Frances (Grugel) Neyhart. He was born in Hammond, Indiana and raised in Highland, Indiana. Gary graduated from Lincoln Christian College. It was while at school that he met the mother of his children. After graduating, he went on to start his career as a minister. He ended up retiring as a paint mixer and lineman at CFC Industries in Chicago Heights, IL.

From an early age, his parents instilled a love of Christ that he carried with him in his everyday life. Gary inherited his mother’s fierce competitive attitude from their love of different board games. These are just a few of the characteristics that he has since passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gary had many different talents and hobbies. He had the lead role in multiple plays, and he even toured with his collegiate theater group. Gary played instruments and sang throughout his life as well. In his early years, he even cut a couple of albums with his quartet, The Woodsmen. His love for games stayed with him until the end though. Gary played on different softball teams, bowling leagues, golf leagues, and dartball teams over the years. He never turned down a chance to play a game, whether it was Rummicube, Boggle, Scattergories, or his favorite, Scrabble. Gary once played in the National Scrabble Championship. He and his mother kept a list of the wins and loses for years. Gary’s main love of games came down to his card games though. He played poker a few times a week with a group of friends for years. When he got the family together, there was always going to be a loving and intense game of Euchre at some point. Gary was an avid reader of suspenseful mysteries as well. You could catch him at the library at least once a week. He had a head full of knowledge that made him funny, charming, ornery, sarcastic, and intelligent. He was adaptable to any situation, and made friends everywhere he went. 

Gary leaves behind his two sisters: Karen (Neyhart) Thomas and Janet (Neyhart) Garcia (Michael), his children: Julie Neyhart, Ryan Neyhart (Gina) and Jason Neyhart (Jill), grandchildren: Kaitlin Neyhart (Cameron), Amber Farmer (Brian), Jasmine Neyhart, Haley Neyhart, Reann Neyhart (Zack) and Nyla Neyhart, two great-grandsons: Beau Neyhart and Carter Fagg, and two great-granddaughters due later this year. He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandson, Demitris Neyhart.

In lieu of flowers, kind words, good jokes, and hugs would be appreciated.

A Memorial Gathering will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Rd (one block south of Ridge Rd) Highland, IN, 46322 with a Memorial Service to be held at 4:30 pm.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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