John Watson Neth, Jr.

John Watson Neth, Jr., age 90, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. He spent eight years in the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippine Islands and Washington, D.C. prior to World War II and in England, Scotland, and France during the war. He was a retired librarian of Milligan College and served fifty-four years of ministry with Christian Churches in several states. Mr. Neth was preceded in death by his wife of twenty-four years, Evelyn Neumeister Neth in 1963 and three brothers, Samuel, Joseph, and Elliott Neth. Survivors include: his wife of forty-three years, Margaret Jackson Battle Neth; two brothers, Carl and Phillip Neth ; two sisters, Ruth Gillespie and Susan Fissel; seven children, Suellen Collins and husband Jim of Raymond, CA., John W. Neth, III and wife Linda of Milligan College and Groveport, OH, Bonita Hardy and husband Patrick of Elizabethton, Dixie Webb and husband Alan of Milligan College, Valerie Brown and husband Billy of Jonesborough, Capt. Samuel L. Neth, USN of Glenwood Springs, CO, and stepson, Tom Battle and wife Frankie of Ashville, NC; grandchildren include Shawn Jeffries, Tami Jeffries Newsham, Christy Neth Elliott, John W. Neth, IV, Nathan Hagy, Frank Hardy, Evelyn Esther Hardy, Sierra Brown, Tommy Battle and Lisa Brittian; eleven great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren also survive. Mr. Neth was a member of First Christian Church in Johnson City and the Mr. and Mrs. Sunday School Class. He also attended the Hopwood Christian Church. The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, July 13, 2006 from 3 to 7 PM at the Neth farmhouse. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 AM Friday, July 14, 2006 in the Hopwood Christian Church. Dr. Ken Oosting and Mr. Timothy Ross will officiate. Interment will follow in the Williams Cemetery at Milligan College. Active Pallbearers will be John W. Neth, IV, Frank Hardy, Billy Brown, Nathan Hagy, Alan Webb, and Patrick Hardy. Honorary Pallbearers will J.P. Barrett, David Horton, Ed Wexler, Bernie Gray, the East Tennessee Engine Association, and the Mr. and Mrs. Sunday School Class of First Christian Church of Johnson City. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the NETH LIBRARY at Williamson Christian College, 200 Seaboard Lane, Franklin, TN 37067