Neal S Vanvalkenburg

CMSgt Neal Stephen VanValkenburg, 91, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11:00 am at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jearl Hunley officiating and Pastor Luke Lawson assisting .  Visitation will be from 10:30am until service time at the church.  A private graveside service will follow.  Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Neal was born on March 5, 1931 in Memphis, TN and grew up in Russellville, Arkansas.  He was a long time member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Columbus.  Neal retired from the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller where he spent 30 years of service, achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.  He served two tours of duty in the Korean War as well as two tours  of duty in the Vietnam War.  Neal's Air Force career consisted of many overseas destinations such as Australia, Guam, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, and Korea.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener.

CMSgt VanValkenburg is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jeanette VanValkenburg; daughters, Neala Weber (Jeffrey), Angie Atkins (Kary), and Carla Formel (Michael); son, Neal Alan VanValkenburg (Sherry); seven grandchildren, Cassie Hester, Taylor Atkins, Tyler Weber, Kalyn Weber, Vonnie Moody, Rachael Formel, and Jenna Brooke VanValkenburg; and nine great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Evelyn Dodson VanValkenburg.

Family will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to:

The Columbus Lowndes Humane Society 50 Airline Rd. Columbus, MS 39701

Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary 144 Sanctuary Loop Caledonia, MS 39740  or

Batson Children's Hospital https://donate. childrensmiraclenetworkhospita ls.org