Neil Gordon Kohler, 89, Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Villa Ventura in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation is Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Masonic service and then the funeral service to follow. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Shriner Hospital for Children, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131, Harrisonville First Baptist Church, 504 West Wall, Harrisonville, MO 64701, or Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Neil was born February 4, 1926 to John Harold and Dora Isabelle (Beckerdite) Kohler, Sr. in a small farmhouse at the bottom of Kohler Hill, 4 miles east of Harrisonville. Neil owns his birthplace which is designated a Century Farm. Neil was a lifelong resident of Harrisonville and attended Lone Elm School. He graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1943 and recently celebrated his 70th class reunion with classmates. Neil was a dairy farmer until his retirement in 1986. Neil was married to Evelyn Lucille Leimkuhler on July 30, 1950, at the First Baptist Church in Harrisonville. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary later this month.

Neil was a member of many organizations including the First Baptist Church for 72 years, Harrisonville Grade A Milk Hauling Association Inc., Mid-America Dairymen, Inc., a life member of Optimist International, a 49-year member of Cass Lodge #147, Harrisonville, a member of York Rite and Scottish Rite and Ararat Shrine, Kansas City, Missouri, Cass County Shrine Club, a member and past Patron of Bayard Chapter No. 179, Order of Eastern Star, Cass County Planning and Zoning Commission, including chairman, in 1991.

Neil was very instrumental in the formation of Public Water Supply District #9 of Harrisonville and was the President for 40 years. He also assisted in the creation of the Tri-County Water Authority of Grain Valley, Missouri and served as President for many years.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John Kohler, Jr. and Guy Kohler, as well as sister, Hazel Clegg, sister-in-law, Joan Kohler, brother-in-law and wife, Elmer D. and Patricia Leimkuhler, son-in-law, Dale Rudd; granddaughter, Angela Rudd, and many other family members and close dear friends. Neil is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home; son, Michael "Mike" Kohler (Vicki) of Harrisonville; three daughters, Elaine Strid (Eldon) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Angela Breedlove (Todd) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Janeen Olmos (Alex) of Overland Park; nine grandchildren, Michael Rudd of Pullman, Washington, Jody Smith (Larry) of Kansas City, Missouri, Matthew "Matt" Kohler (Amber) of Amsterdam, Missouri, Sarah Galatta (Aboma) of Columbia, Missouri, Amanda Murphy, Addison Breedlove, Jessica Fisch, Roman Fisch and Dominic Olmos of Overland Park, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Drew Rudd, Harper Higgins, Mayah and Corban Galatta, and Laney Kohler; brother, Donald Kohler of Harrisonville; sister, Dorothy Lindley (Jack) of Chillicothe, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Louise Kohler of Harrisonville, Laura Kohler of Kansas City, Missouri, and Elinor Chancellor of Raymore, Missouri, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and dear friends.

Neil will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.