Neva Florella Kelly Hinton Obituary (1913 - 2013)

Neva Florella Kelly Hinton, 100, of Pana, died Tuesday, May 28, 2013 in Pana Community Hospital. She was born on May 5, 1913 on her Grandpa Harmon Kelly's homeplace in Cold Spring Township in Shelby County to George W. and Celia Halbrook Kelly. Neva grew up on the farm where she lived all her life until 1988 when she moved to Parkway Apartments in Pana. She grew up doing household chores as her mother lost her sight when Neva was only 12. She also worked in the fields using horses to plow and rake hay. She also milked cows and did many more chores. Neva had many jobs as well as taking care of her family. She worked in a factory making ammunition belts for the soldiers. Later she worked at Sugar Creek Creamery for 2 years, then at the Dutch Mill starting at 35 cents per hour. She then worked at the Cold Spring Greenhouse for 14 years. When she was young, she liked to ride and race horseback, play Goose Duck or Flying Dutchman for fun. In her later years, she loved to garden and enjoyed her lilacs and peonies. She attended New Hope Baptist Church, where she was the oldest living member and past member of the Ladies Aid. She often walked to church, rode horseback or went by horse and wagon. Neva married Felix Hinton on February 6, 1932 at the Shelbyville Courthouse. Felix farmed for a living and he enjoyed going to sales. Felix passed away on June 18, 1984. They were married 54 years and 4 months. They had four children: Lois Smith husband Clarence, Brownstown, IL; Floyd Hinton wife Doris, Tower Hill, IL; Larry, who passed away at age 7 and Patsy, who passed away at age 2, both from Polio. Neva is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Rhonda Evans, Brad Smith, Keith Hinton, Larry Smith, Kenneth Hinton, Stan Smith, Kellie Kuhn, Amy Coultas, Patsy Chesterman; 17 great grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren. Besides her parents, husband, and children, Neva was preceded by 4 older brothers, Toni, Wayne, Glen and Emery and 3 great grandchildren. Neva had a full and busy life and is loved by all her family. She enjoyed her family and always had a smile on her face. Funeral Information Funeral services will be Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home with Rev. Don Pease officiating. Burial will be in Myers Cemetery, Herrick. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.