Lee Neal, 69, passed away peacefully after a long courageous battle with cancer July 2, 2015, in Palmetto, Fla. He was born on April 11, 1946, in Warsaw. On Aug. 2, 1969, he married Sara Ann Mihalko-Hoffer who survives. They were married for 46 years. After graduating from Warsaw High School in 1964, he enlisted in the army in 1967 and was honorably discharged in 1971. He was a free Mason since 1977 of the Kosciusko Lodge No. 418 in Milford. He and his wife moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1980, to start a new life and business together. They bought a small liquor store and eventually expanded it into a wine and liquor store. He loved his wine. He read, tasted and taught himself everything he could about wine. They traveled to California and Oregon wine county and discovered new and exciting wines. He became very successful in his career, with a TV commercial and talk radio show all about wine. He had a love for the people that came through his business doors and always tried to find them the right bottle of wine. After 30 years in the business, they retired in 2009. They began to enjoy their retirement peacefully together before he became sick. His greatest pleasure was received when spending time drinking wine with family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Also surviving are: his two stepchildren, Dirk A. Hoffer and Lisa D. Fath, two grandchildren, Jacob R. and Lucas Fath. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Maxine Neal-Colt, and two brothers, David Neal and Gregg Colt. He will be missed by many other family members and friends. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. A celebration of life will follow at Boat House restaurant, 700 Park Ave., Winona Lake. ***** Memorials to Lee's favorite foundation.
