Neal John Ipema

Neal John Ipema passed away in Scottsdale on Oct. 18, 2015, following a stroke. He was born in Chicago, Ill. on Feb.12, 1944.

After graduating from high school near Chicago, Neal joined the Navy in 1964. He was a Navy Reservist who was also called to active duty at the Navy Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

He was part of the Submarine Service, serving on the U.S.S. Bang. He attained the rank of Machinist’s Mate, First Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Neal was honorably discharged from the Navy on Feb. 7, 1970.

Neal married Jean Anne Ondera in 1966 and started a family. He and Jean had sons Brian and Darin in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

He earned an associate’s degree in 1971 and later enrolled at Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in 1973 followed by a Master’s Degree of Science in 1977.

After college, Neal would go on to work in the agricultural and sports manufacturing industries.

He worked for over 20 years at International Harvester (now Navistar) in Chicago and about the same amount of time at True Temper Sports and Black & Decker in Memphis, Tenn. While at True Temper, he fine-tuned the manufacturing process for their golf shafts, and he even oversaw the building of a new manufacturing plant. When Neal retired from True Temper, he was Vice President of Quality Control for their golf division.

Neal and his wife Jean moved to Fountain Hills in 1993. Upon moving to Arizona, Neal started his own machine shop called Contour Machining in Mesa. He continued to work there until he sold it to his eldest son, Brian, in 2004.

Neal John Ipema was a loving husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and friend, and he will be missed. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jean; his sons, Brian (Hope), Darin (Brenda); his grandsons, Dillon, Tyler and Zachary; as well as his sisters, Beverly Thomas (Jim) and Debbie Thresh (Winslow), both of Illinois.

He also leaves behind six brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, their spouses, their children and grandchildren in Arizona, Illinois, Georgia and New Zealand. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Helen.

A veteran’s memorial service was held for Neal on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix.

A church memorial was held for Neal on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, 13001 N. Fountain Hills Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Neal’s memory made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; stjude.org.