Neal C. Strebel, age 87 of Maryville, IL, born November 1, 1937, in Highland, IL, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Evelyn's House in Creve Coeur, MO.

Neal was a man full of life and had an exceeding passion as a band director and performing musician that gave him an incredibly, unique, rich life.

Neal was a retired music teacher from the Collinsville Community District No. 10. He taught instrumental music there for 37 years. He was the Collinsville High School Band Director from 1969 to 1997. At various times Neal taught at the North Jr. High School and Webster Jr. High School as well as Canteen, Caseyville, Clay, Columbia, Cuba, Dorris, Hollywood Heights, Jefferson, Lanham, Lincoln, Maryville, Miller, State Park, Summit, Twin Echo and Webster elementary schools. As a disciplined but nurturing music director, he touched countless lives of students, molding their character and shaping their futures.

Neal attended Collinsville High School, received a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA), and did additional work at SIUE, SWIC, VanderCook School of Music (Chicago), and Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL). During his teaching career, he was a member of the Madison County Music Director's Association, Illinois Grade School Music Director's Association, Illinois Music Educator's Association, American School Band Director's Association, Windjammers, and the Collinsville Education Association. He was also a member of Musician's Local 29-717, Gateway Postcard Club, and the Iowa Alumni Association.

After retirement, Neal played trombone in the Edwardsville Municipal Band, St. Louis Community College at Meramec Concert Band and Jazz Band, St. Louis Wind Symphony, Alton Civic Orchestra, Knights of Swing, SIUE Jazz Lab Band, the Southwestern Illinois Brass Quintet, the Route 66 Jazz Orchestra, the Granite City Municipal Band, the Granite City Swing Band, the Diz Strohman Swing Band, and the St. Luke's Methodist Brass Quintet.

His family, dear friends, and fellow musicians were at the center of his world. Neal had an outgoing personality and made friends wherever life took him. He was straightforward, told it like it was, and lived life his way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Lenora (nee Klaus) Strebel; three cousins: Shirley (Foxy) Rood, Dorothy (Clarence) Deibert, and Judith (Kenneth) Ernst.  Also preceded in death by his dear friend, Elaine Hartley of Collinsville, IL.

Surviving, are cousins Maurice (Patricia) Klaus and Garry Klaus. Neal was a beloved cousin to the Ernst, Deibert, and Klaus families of Highland, IL.  He was a constant and supportive presence in Elaine's life as well as in the lives of her daughters, Lisa Hartley and Beth (Alex) Raftopoulos; her grandchildren: Lisa (Shane) Recer and Nick (Katyann) Raftopoulos; and her three greatgrandchildren. He became a deeply important figure to them all, and his unwavering support and friendship will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. officiated by Rev. Robin Lyons. The burial will be in Highland City Cemetery, Highland, IL.

Celebration of Life after burial will be at Bella Vista Winery in Maryville, IL from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Buffet will be open from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Collinsville High School Band or BJC Siteman Cancer Center and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.