Kay Ellen Neal

Kay Ellen Neal passed away May 4, 2025 in Denver, Co, unexpectedly. Kay was born at home in Hamilton, IN, April 18,1941, to the late Avada Crain and Jim Morris. Kay graduated from Hamilton High School in 1959 and went on to attend Porter Business College in Indianapolis.

Kay lived in several places before moving to New Castle where she purchased the Phoenix Restaurant on Broad St. in NC, famous for their fish sandwiches. After closing the restaurant, she became Bailiff at the Justice Center in New Castle. After 8 years she moved to Littleton, CO where she owned a coffee shop. After 18 years in Colorado, she moved back to Indianapolis to be close to her daughter and family. While in Indy she worked at Momma Bears Coffee Shop for years. Kay developed Parkinson’s disease and semi-retired.

Kay was a very caring person and devoted her life to raising her family. She will also be remembered for her kindness, her beautiful eyes and smile and encouraging others. She will always be our “Special K.”

She left behind her son Jeff (Melanie) Neal of Windsor, CO, daughter Julie (Tim) Barthel of Indianapolis, Grandchildren: Amanda (Jon) Carlin of Severance, CO, Samantha (Chris) O’Neal of Windsor, CO, Connor (Abriana) Barthel of Aurora, CO, Collin Barthel (Claire O’Halloran) of New York City, and Caiti Barthel, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Great Grandchildren: Jonathan Carlin, Kim Carlin, Maverik Carlin, Kennedy Carlin, Lawson Carlin, Marley O’Neal, Presley O’Neal, Ayla Barthel and Liam Barthel. Her sister Karen (Everett) Cole of New Castle, IN, Niece: Chavonne Cole (Brian) Sauer of Indianapolis, Nephew: Aaron Cole of New Castle, Great Nieces: Addison (Max) Bowler and Avery Sauer of Indianapolis. Sisters-in-law: Nancy Neal and Dottie Neal, of Kalamazoo, MI and a very special friend, Anne Myers, Arizona.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents, Wayne and Reba Nickols, and Lawrence and Peg Neal, brother-in-law Ben Neal and ex-husband, Jim Neal.

Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church, 709 S Memorial Dr, New Castle, IN June 14 th , Visitation 1:00 to 2:00pm Celebration 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Spreading of Ashes will be held at Cold Springs Resort, 260 Ln 120 Hamilton Lake, Hamilton, IN June 15th, 12:00pm

Donations may be made to Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation Give.MichealJFox.org

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