NAPPANEE – Karel E. Neff, 72, of 24752 CR 46, New Paris, died unexpectedly of natural causes at 5:38 p.m. March 27, 2012, in the emergency room at IU Health Goshen Hospital.
She was born July 21, 1939, in Tipton County, to Keith and Rosemary Jordan Hollingsworth. On July 21, 1984, in Syracuse, she married Richard Neff, who survives.
She lived most of her life in the Syracuse and Nappanee areas. She graduated from Akron High School, attended Manchester College, received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Central College and earned a master’s degree from Ball State University. She retired in 1991 from Syracuse Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten and second grade for 30 years. She was active in the Little People of America Association and a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Syracuse, Lakeland Educators Association, Indiana State Teachers Association and National Education Association. She also was a part of the Ladies of the Round Table, Syracuse.
Also surviving are a stepson, Richard L. Neff Jr., Texas; her mother, Rosemary Hollingsworth, Tipton; a sister, Kay (and spouse Howard) Burns, Tipton; and a brother, Walter Hollingsworth, Oregon.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, with the Rev. Mark Eastway officiating. Burial will be in Union Center Cemetery.
Calling is one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the Church of the Little People of America Association.
