Annabelle F. Neel

" Annabelle Frances Neel, 95, of Winter Haven, Florida, formerly of Danville, Illinois, died of natural causes at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, December 4, 2010, in Auburndale, Florida. Annabelle was born on September 19, 1915, in Page, North Dakota, the daughter of Ira Grover Jones and Mamie Alderson Jones. She married Albert Bud Neel on August 23, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky. He passed away May 21, 1960. She is survived by: one daughter, Arlene F. (William I.) Neill of Portage, Ind.; three grandchildren, William Edward (Melissa) Neill of South Bend, Ind.; Anna Neill Herrington of Santa Monica, Cal.; and Gregory Allen Neill of Long Beach, Cal.; and three great grandchildren, Kara Dee, Kyle, and Brieann Neill. She is also survived by one brother, Ira (Barbara) Jones of Melborne, Fla.; one sister, Maxine Robbins of Orlando, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Arnold (Doris) Jones; sister, Irene (Eugene) Robinson; and brother-in-law Richard Robbins. Annabelle was a 1934 graduate of Danville High School where she was a student of Miss Mary Miller, founding president of Danville Junior College (DJC). After high school graduation she moved to Chicago to live with her grandmother, graduated from Greggs Business College, and worked in Chicago. She moved back to Danville after her marriage. In 1966 she received an honorary Associate Degree from DJC. Miss Miller hired Annabelle in 1954 as her secretary and the registrar at DJC, a position she held for 32 years until her retirement in 1986. In the 1970s she also became the Foreign Student Advisor. Some years there were as many as 150 international students at DJC who referred to Annabelle as their American Mother. Many of these students kept in touch with her long after they returned to their home country. Annabelle was also a sponsor of the DJC Altrusa Astra Club on campus. She was a past president of the Oaklawn Parent Teachers Association, past president of the Education Personnel Federal Credit Union (1974-1980), and past president of Altrusa. She was a member of the Vermilion County Museum, DJC Alumni Association, St. James Methodist Church, and a charter member of the DACC Annuitants Association. Some of her honors include receiving the DJC Illustrious Alum Award in 1979 from the DJC Alumni Association, being selected as a DJC/DACC Founder in October 2008 by the DACC Foundation and the college, and being inducted into the DACC Athletic Hall of Fame as a Friend of the Program by the Athletic Department in October 2010. After her retirement in 1986, Annabelle moved to Winter Haven, Fla., but she never forgot her ties to Danville and to DJC/DACC. She was an avid fan of DJC/DACC athletics and followed the teams from the early days of the college until her death. She had a sharp mind and an incredible memory all of her life. She is remembered as the unofficial historian of the early years at the college. She kept in touch with her many friends through e-mail. Annabelle enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively to Europe, Iran, Kuwait, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean Islands, and all states except for Alaska in the US. A high tea and celebration of her life will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m., with a short program about 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at Sunset Executive Plaza, 3550 North Vermilion in Danville. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. Private family burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville. In lieu of flowers, her family has set up a scholarship in her name at DACC. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Annabelle F. Neel Scholarship, DACC Foundation, 2000 East Main Street, Danville, Illinois 61832.