CENTRAL CITY – It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beautiful father, Michael Bruce Neal, 81, of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, who died in his home on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
He is with our dear Lord and Savior Jesus and is rejoicing with his family and friends who, we know for certain, ran to the gate to meet him. He was and will always be a beloved pastor, teacher, friend, husband, father, brother and grandfather.
He was born on July 22, 1945, in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where he grew up with a loving mother and grandparents in the country, raised in the Baptist faith with his younger brother, Larry Neal. He would later have three more siblings, John Kimmel, Debbie Goldston, and Randy Kimmel, and a step-sister, Sonia Bivens. He was a loving son and devoted big brother to his younger siblings, a devotion that lasted his lifetime.
After graduating Bremen High School, he worked in the Ford Motor Plant in Vermillion, Ohio for a time before starting his journey at Campbellsville College, where he would attain his teaching degree in History and Geography as well as coaching baseball. He served the Muhlenberg County School System for over forty years as a much loved teacher and principal.
More importantly, he would want you to know he was born again on November 11, 1968, when he asked Jesus into his heart.
He was called to preach in 1974, and his first church would be Richland Missionary Baptist located on “Beulah Road” in Madisonville, KY. He would go on to pastor several churches in his lifetime leading many precious souls to Jesus.
He was loyal member of New Harmony Baptist Church, the very church he called home as a boy. He served faithfully over the years when needed as teacher, song director, and pastor. He will be deeply missed by his church family, but they rejoice knowing he is with his Savior.
He loved fishing, the mountains, walking in the woods, he never met a stranger, he was there for anyone in need, it didn’t matter if you were sick, having surgery, or just needed a friend, he would be there. But most of all, he loved Jesus and he made sure you did too. He was well known for singing the song “Beulah Land”. He loved to sing and used his God given talent whenever asked. He loved his family and his dear wife Eileen. He loved his children and never missed a birthday or celebration. And if you were lucky enough to know him, he loved you.
He was preceded in death by his mother he adored, Gwendolyn Bruce; his father, Matthew Neal; step-father, Burman Kimmel; his son, Michael Boyd Neal; and step-son, Jeff Neal.
He is survived by his loving wife, Eileen Capps Neal; daughter, Tracie (Paul) Smith of Cadiz, KY; step-son, Brandon Smith of Bremen, KY; his grandchildren, Travis, Jesse, Lacy, Cody, Sarah, Mya, Emily, Sadie, Isaiah, and Rikki Lynn; his great-grandchildren, Lilly, Phoenix, Jaxon, Jack, Ollie, Jayden, Lindsey, and Bobby; siblings, Larry (Gail) Neal, John (Julie) Kimmel, Debbie (Phillip) Goldston, and Randy (Trudy) Kimmel; step-sister, Sonia Bivens; as well as his nephews and nieces he adored.
If he could say anything right now, it would be to please give your heart to Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Funeral services will be Monday, September 21, 2026, at 11:00AM at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with Bro. Daxton Lear officiating. Burial in New Harmony Cemetery in Bremen. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-8PM and Monday after 8:00AM at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com.
