John Harrison Neible, age 87, went home to be with his Lord and Savior unexpectedly on October 20, 2024. He was born April 28, 1937, to John and Lydia (Markins) Neible in Garrett, Indiana. John graduated from Waterloo High School, Waterloo, IN, where he met Sharon Payton. He married her on January 28, 1956, and had four daughters over the course of the next eleven years. The family settled in southern Michigan where John drove truck for a number of years and then began to sell cars for local car dealerships. In 1967, John began attending church with his family, where he came to a saving faith in Jesus that transformed his life. In 1980, John moved his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, so he could attend the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music, after which he served as pastor at a church in Hopkins, Michigan for a time. He resided in the Grand Rapids area for the remainder of his life.
Throughout his life, John was passionate about Jesus, people and cars. He loved Jesus and wanted the same for others. He would often ask how he could be praying for people and would always check back in for updates on those requests, making it obvious that he had been praying over them. John also had a gift for welcoming people in a way that made them feel seen and loved and left them feeling like part of his family. He did not hold back on letting others know what they meant to him and the positive he saw in their lives. John also loved cars, especially the shiny Chevrolets he sold as a car salesman. As a younger man, he had a different car every couple months and continued to provide advice and expertise to his children and grandchildren about their vehicles for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sharon (Payton) Neible, and his four daughters, Kristi (Scott) Banta, Rebecca (Todd) Barsness, Kim (Brian) Hettinga, and Candace (John) Krugman; his grandchildren, Nick (Jaime) Banta, Katie (Josh) Brood, Johnathan Barsness, Matt (Kate) Banta, Jordan (Kara) Banta, Josh (Allie) Hettinga, Drew Barsness, Tim (Kelsey) Hettinga, Joe Barsness, Cortney Krugman, Hudson Barsness, Caleb Krugman, Demond Barsness and De’Shawn Barsness; as well as nineteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Judy Drerup, Sandra Ousley (Dan), Sharon Lee Neible; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lydia Neible; as well as his brother, Carson Neible; brother-in-law, Jack Drerup; and precious great granddaughter, Mina Grace Hettinga.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Ada Bible Church Cascade Campus, 8899 Cascade Rd SE, Ada, MI 49301. Visitation and a light lunch with the family will follow the service.
13 Responses
My heart goes out to each of you girls in the loss of your dear father.
Unexpected ,so grateful he didn’t have to suffer a long time.
Love Gerrie
Candace, I’m sorry for this big hole in your heart that you have now. May the love and peace and comfort of your Heavenly Father fill it. I’ll be praying for you and your whole family! Hugs!
Dear Neible family,
Tim and I want to express our sadness about Johnny suddenly passing… We have so many sweet and funny memories of Sharon, John and you girls. They mentored and lead us in our young Christian lives many years ago. Hugs to you all…🙏🏻
Kim and Candace my heart hurts for the hole that your dad has left. We loved your parents and enjoyed them. Hugs and Prayers.
Dan and Jean Hoffman
I don’t like to think of a world without Johnny. He blessed our lives in so many ways. Ron and I set under and grew spiritually from his teaching. I’m sure Johnny heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when he met Jesus. My heart goes out to you all, understanding your grief. Our hearts were not made for this – our hearts were made for eternity. Our God will strengthen you. He is faithful. But we extend our sympathy to you all in great love,
Ron and Kathi
My Dad’s life was forever changed by Mr. Neible. Because of him, my dad got saved and he taught dad many things about the Bible long before any of my sisters or I were born. Because of Mr. Neible, there are many people already in Heaven or know for sure they are going. He’s always been so kind, caring, and loving to my whole family. I’ll miss the kind comments and messages he sent to us on Facebook. Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time.
Sharon and girls, Johnny was a great man with a huge smile and laugh! Your home was always fun and I have fond memories in the 70s with Kristi and you all. I am sorry for your loss. Becky (Nutt) Chupek
Sharon and family. Sending love to you all. So loved that guy. Ge blessed us all in many ways and 8 was so glad to be on that number. God’s grace to you all as you celebrate his life.
Dave and Cindy Lowman
Hopkins MI
My heart breaks for all of you! I have such great memories of Johnny joking and laughing! But most importantly loving Jesus! He was such a great man and will be greatly missed on this Earth!
Dear Sharon, and family. We were saddened to hear about John. We pray For God’s sustaining grace for all of you as you mourn the loss of one so dear.
John meant so much to me, working in nearby offices at MTM. We had many chats, and a lot of laughter. John was such a godly influence in the workplace. I cherish the time we worked together.
May His love and grace sustain you in the coming days.
Dear Neible Family,
I am so saddened to hear of Johnny’s passing; he was such a kind soul and so full of room filling energy! I’m praying for peace for you all during this unexpected and sad time. I feel lucky to have known your family.
Love,
Becky Stout Null
I have always loved you both. (After meeting you guys at East Algansee Baptist Church)
It’s so hard to say these goodbyes, but I do rejoice with you in knowing he is in the very presence of his creator – Jesus! Hugs and prayers
Ron
On December 20, 1987, I first met John on a rainy day at a church in Hopkins Michigan where he pastored. I was going through a huge struggle where I belonged in life as I came from a dysfunctional family.
A couple of weeks before I met John, I attempted suicide and feared where I would go if I passed away. I felt that I was hopeless and felt that there would be no hope for me.
When I first told Pastor John about my despair, he told me that there was nothing that I could do that would separate me from the love of God. I was so confused about that because of a bible verse that talks about the unpardonable sin until John told me that the unpardonable sin is rejecting Christ as your Savior.
On that same day, I asked Jesus to be my personal Savior. John led me to do that through a prayer and it changed my whole course of life. Now that I am identified with Christ, God sees me as forgiven and justified in him along with me having the eternal hope of being in heaven forever.
Jesus died and rose again for my soul and John led me to him so I can be saved. I gratefully want to thank John for pointing me to the right direction.
I also want to thank Sharon and the whole family for their hospitality towards me in the past. I know that John will be missed but I along with John’s family and friends in Christ will be able to see him again in heaven – thanks to our risen living Savior.
Thank you, John – for leading me to Jesus so I wouldn’t have to face eternal destruction.
Christopher Vennesland