Neil was born September 18, 1964 in Macomb, IL to Charles and Patricia (Blickenstaff) Huston. Neil is survived by his loving wife and soulmate Mary Jane (Masten) Huston. Neil and Mary Jane were married on November 2, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Havana, IL. Neil is survived by his brother Jeff (Charlene) Huston (Macomb, IL), children Chad Cox (Macomb, IL), Tevin (Elisha) Huston (Macomb, IL), Kiara (Ray) Huston (Hudson, New Hampshire), Jeanette (Tony) Gathman (Havana, IL) and Justin (Morgan) Friedrich (Bath, IL). He is also survived by his grandchildren MaKaela Bennett, Brooklyn Bennett, Elijah Cox, Miles Cox, Ames Gathman, Lucy Gathman, and McCoy Friedrich, and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Neil was preceded in death by his parents.
Neil retired from Western Illinois University in 2019 where he was a Landscape Maintenance Foreman for 21 years while also mentoring countless students. Neil also worked as a counselor for Chaddock in Quincy IL helping troubled youth. In addition to his full-time positions, Neil also coached basketball, football, baseball, and softball for many years. Not only did he coach, Neil was also a certified ASA umpire. He touched numerous children’s lives during this time. Neil enjoyed coaching his children and grandchildren and teaching them his amazing skills of all sports. He was an avid Cubs fan and never missed watching a game and especially enjoyed going to Wrigley Field and seeing them in person. Sports was something he held close to his heart as it reminded him of the time spent with his father enjoying games and refereeing/umpiring together.
Family meant the world to Neil. He was loved by and loved his family dearly. Not only would Neil provide all the laughter and wit to any situation, he also provided the best wisdom when you needed to hear it most. Neil never met a stranger and he always had a way of making everyone feel accepted. Above all, Neil knew is Savior, Jesus Christ. Despite the vast challenges he endured in the last three years, he had a strong desire to live and maintained an unbelievably positive outlook. This was possible due to his strong faith.
As an acquaintance he met along his recent journey said so wonderfully, “In the limited interactions I had with Neil, I could clearly see what a special man he was, smart, funny, kind, and a big heart.”
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana. Funeral services will take place on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Havana 1st Baptist Church. Burial will follow the service at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana.
Memorial donations may be made in Neil’s name to Grace Lutheran Academy. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.
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