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Gary Irvin Neff
Born: 1/30/1950
Died: 4/20/2026
Age: 76
Community: Swartz Creek, MI
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NEFF, GARY IRVIN – Of Swartz Creek, age 74, passed away Monday, April 20, 2026.
Funeral service will be held 2pm Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Reverend Jeff King officiating.
Visitation 11am Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Cremation will take place following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Gary’s name be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org.
The legend that is Gary Irvin Neff came into this world on January 30, 1950 in Columbus, OH, alongside his identical twin and forever comrade, Larry Edward Neff. The two were inseparable until Larry’s passing on August 30, 2015. Both were preceded in death by many beloved family members, including their parents, Jerry Edwin Neff and Martha Mary Neff, and sister Sandra Lee Dickerson. Gary was also preceded by his daughter Martha Marie Neff and son Anthony Eric Neff.
Gary was a noble warrior who earned his living legendary status in word and deed. He was a Vietnam veteran and proud of his service to his country. He worked tirelessly for more than 38 years at General Motors, retiring as a supervisor, to provide for his large and loving family. In their ever-rambunctious, always-abundant home, Gary and Mary opened their hearts to 8 adopted children; many family pets; and an endless number of foster children, neighborhood children, friends’ children and children’s friends. Family to Gary transcended bloodlines. Gary was always eager to help a church family member with a home project or loan a friend one of his many beloved tools. Gary never met a stranger he couldn’t chat or find common ground with.
In the last 19 years of his life, Gary took on his ultimate battle with Parkinson’s Disease, but he refused to let it slow him down. In the last 9 years of his life, he made Schnepp Senior Care & Rehab Center his home. Some would have reconciled their final years to a quiet and reserved period, slowly fading into the inevitable. That was not Gary’s style. He became a leader; a favorite of residents and staff; and a defender of anyone weak, defenseless, or vulnerable. On April 20, 2026, Gary finally succumbed to his Achilles heel; he was 76 years old, an old gladiator - too young to leave this world, yet too old and spent to once again take up and wield his old war hammer.
Gary leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering dedication. His memory will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and the communities he touched. Some of those keeping his memory alive include his wife, Mary Ellen Neff; his children, son Jason Nathaniel Neff, daughter Rebecca Lynn Neff, daughter Sarah Elizabeth Neff, daughter Kelly Renee Neff, son Nicholas Paul Neff, and son Benjamin Michael Neff; his foster sons, Andre' Jon Prieur, Donald Joseph Prieur, and Barney Sires; his sister Candy Lou Neff; his brother-in-law John Thomas (Phyllis Ann) Luard; his nephews and niece, Matthew Aaron Luard, Mark Joshua (Angela Jean) Luard, and Mindy Michelle (Jon Daniel) Swartz; their children, Tyler Austin Ingersoll, Noah James Luard, Madelyn Jean Luard, and Landon Thomas Swartz; his church family at Ainsworth Baptist Church; and the beautiful and compassionate staff and residents of Schnepp Senior Care & Rehab Center.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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Copyright © 2026 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
| Date: |
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4/25/2026 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
| Visitation 11am Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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4/25/2026 |
| Time: |
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2:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Swartz Funeral Home & Cremation Center
1225 West Hill Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Reverend Jeff King |
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