Neal Blackburn, 63, of Greenville, Wisconsin, passed away Thursday morning on January 13, 2022. Neal was born on May 16, 1958 in New London, CT, to Gerald and Sharis Blackburn. He spent his childhood in Wynne, AR, and graduated from Wynne High School. He obtained a BA in Sociology and Business from Ouachita Baptist University, MA in Sociology from Arkansas State University and Ph.D. in Sociology from Southern Illinois University. He retired in 2014 after serving seventeen years as Director of Unified Counseling Services of Grant and Iowa Counties in Wisconsin. He immensely enjoyed serving on the Police and Fire Commission in Lancaster, WI and as President of the Wisconsin County Human Service Association for two years.

To many he was known as a defensive football player and "Mr. Hustle", scuba dive instructor, fellow fisherman, taxidermist, Harley rider and traveler; mentor, boss, and professor. Above all else, Neal was a loving husband, father, teacher, and friend. He often quoted lines from movies and books; one of his favorite being "Love each other or die" fromTuesdays with Morrie.

Neal is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Ann Blackburn. He leaves behind two daughters, Ashley Beck and Chelsea Blackburn Cohen, and son-in-law Jacob Cohen. In addition, he leaves behind two grandchildren, Jayce Beck and Maxine Cohen, mother-in-law Thelma Hogan, and siblings Theresa Phipps and Lee Blackburn, as well as many dear friends. Our lives will never be the same after sharing yours. You can run now Neal; run free!

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to Loaves and Fishes of the Fox Valley, Inc. at213 E Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI 54911 or The Paine Art Center and Gardens at

1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901.

An in-person, masked service will be held on Saturday, January 22 at The Mission Church at 314 N Appleton St, Appleton, WI, 54911. Visitation will be held from 10-11am CST and the service will begin at 11am with snacks and refreshments immediately after. For those who wish to be a part of the service remotely may view a livestream at 11:00am by clicking or entering the following address five minutes before: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/9434448207

For a direct livestream from church, click or entering the link:https://boxcast.tv/view/celebration-of-life-for-neal-blackburn-131065