Gail, The Rev. Neal B.

The Rev. Neal B. Gail, 96, of Cedar Rapids, died at St. Luke's Hospital, and his faith became sight, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Friday at First Church of the Open Bible by Pastor Dan Sanford and Pastor Charles Stevens. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church Thursday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Friday. Arrangements are with Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Neal is survived by his wife, Pauline; children, the Rev. Donald Gail of Troy, Ill., Sharon (Fred) Korsmo, Kay (Sonny) Friis, the Rev. Rick Gail, the Rev. Kenneth (Susan) Gail and Marita (Steve) O'Konek, all of Cedar Rapids; and stepchildren, Gary, Mike and Deb Lint.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella; brother, Kenneth “Keg” Gail; an infant brother; a sister, Jane Barton; and a great-grandson, Mitchell Utley.

Neal was born Aug. 12, 1917, to Lewis and Velma Gail. He married Marcella Gray on Aug. 13, 1936, in Lancaster, Mo. She died in 1995. He married Pauline Lint in 1996.

Neal gave his heart to the Lord and entered Open Bible College, graduating in July 1945. He pastored in Grimes and Marshalltown, Iowa and Sedalia, Mo., before moving in 1955 to Cedar Rapids, where he pastored at First Church of the Open Bible for 33 years, retiring in January 1988.

Memorials may be directed to First Church of the Open Bible.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published Oct. 23, 2013 in The Gazette