Neil David Lucius
Neil David Lucius, age 47, of Indianapolis, died unexpectedly, Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Neil was born October 8, 1975 in Shelby and was a 1994 graduate of Buckeye Central High School. Following high school, he served in the United States Air Force from 1996-1998. Neil spent his career in the quality control management industry and was currently employed at AFC Industries in Indianapolis as a Supplier Quality Engineer.
A lover of traveling, listening to music, and gas station coffee, Neil was always on the go. He enjoyed making those around him laugh with his dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Neil loved to golf and watch Ohio sports- especially The Ohio State University Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. He had the best green thumb and adored animals- mostly Bulldogs. Above all else, Neil loved helping others with whatever they needed, giving the clothes off his back, and never expecting anything in return.
Neil never met a stranger and will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind. Survivors include his son: Manzarec Lucius of Salem; mother: Pamela Suver of Shelby; father and step-mother: Kenneth (Cathy) Lucius of Tiro; step-father: Tim Suver of New Washington; sisters: Gina (Darryl) Threat and Jennifer Saunders both of Columbus; step-sister: Kristie Theis and her family; nieces and nephew: Kayli Lucius, Taylor Threat, Ava Saunders, and Jackson Saunders; other relatives and friends. Neil was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: George and Mary Lucius; maternal grandparents: Orville and Grace Lash; and his close cousin: Ryder Phelps.
Family and friends are welcome Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 2-4 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will immediately follow at 4 pm. Pastor Russ Smith will officiate the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richland County Humane Society, https://adoptourstrays.com/support-us/.
Online condolences may be left on Neil’s obituary on the funeral home’s website, www.PenwellTurner.com, or their Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
To view Neil’s tribute video, click the link provided: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/P8XCQ5T2PHJ3XYNK
So sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Praying for peace. Sending all our love.
Rest in peace Neil.
To Neil’s family and only son,
I had the pleasure of working with your son and dad. We sat across from each other and shared many life stories and laughs. We talled endlessly about life and love. Manny you were your dads joy. To his mom he spoke how strong you were and that I reminded him of you. He spoke of how you were always there for your family. To his dad he spoke alot about the farm and his love for it. This was a place he enjoyed returning to because it grounded him. I will always hold our friendship in the highest regard. I will miss him terribly but will see him again when the time comes.
Your friend,
Susan Sterley
Our deepest sympathies Uncle Kenny, Pam, Gina, Jennifer, Manzarec and Cathy.
We are out of town and will not be able to attend the service.
Bruce, Rose, McKenzie and Bryce Gunner
I love you Neil. I’ll never be able to be as sweet and kind and understanding as you were but I’ll always try. What an amazing person you and I will always admire, love and respect your memory and everything you did for me. You were there when my father passed in 2002 and helped me more than you could have ever known. You are the man and I’ll never forget what you meant to me.. I love you
To all of Neil’s family, we are so sorry to hear about Neil’s passing and pray for strength through these difficult times.
Angie, Cole and Stephen Pallas
Most sincere condolences to the entire Lucius family. Prayers for your peace and comfort.
The touching words written here about Neil could not be summed up any better. I have had the privilege of working side by side everyday with Neil over the last year. The amount of times things would seem to be at its worst and he would calmly let us know “we are going to get through this it’s going to be ok” would be just what the team needed to hear. He was so passionate about everything he did. He loved talking about his family, his travels, his work. A man I am honored to say I got to become close with. He wasn’t just a colleague, he quickly became a friend, and a friend like Neil is a rare find. My condolences to his family for your loss, he loved you so dearly.
Pam and the rest of Neils family I send my condolences for your loss. I cannot imagine what you are going through at this time but know that my heart is with all of you.
I worked with Neil remotely for 6 mos. and met him in a brief moment when he was visiting our Pittsburgh office and in that moment I was greeted by a wonderful individual that I was cheerful, kind, & a truly genuinely good person. I was happy to be given that moment in my life. I wish I had been given the opportunity to know him better. I will surely miss him.
We’re very sorry for your loss, and thinking of you during this difficult time.
I had the absolute pleasure of working with Neil this last year. As soon as I met him, I knew he had a gentle soul and would be a great addition to our AFC team. The last message he sent me was when he saw me wearing a late 80’s Bad Boys cap during one of our zoom meetings. I sure was… he then told me about his older sister who would be jealous as she still had a few Bad Boys shirts that are rice paper thin… He was personable, kind, patient, understanding and took time to listen. My deepest condolences to Neils family and friends. He will be truly missed by the entire AFC Industries family!!
Neil I will never forget all the times we shared together. Whether it was traveling to concerts or the first time we met at your apartment on Ash St. we were always laughing and living life to the fullest. You will be missed immensely as you were loved by all…
Pam and family, I am very sorry to hear about Neil’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I will never forget the short time of working with Neil at New Haven Carry -Out and how we just got in the new Coffee bean coffee there, he had to try it and was the critic of the several ones they tried to sell to the store, and would goof around stocking the coolers to scare Pam. Remembering good times are always the best times to share with people. I pray you remember many of those days to come and God comforts all of you.
Neil was such a pleasure to work with. He was so positive and quick to the help anyone who needed it. He truly was a blessing and left his mark. Continued prayers for his friends and family.
Kenny, Pam and extended family, I remember going to help out on the Lucius farm baling hay and straw etc. I am sure Neil was running around there somewhere, creating havoc when he could. His friendship with my nieces and nephews meant so much to them, then and now. May your strong faith and the love of family and friends be of comfort to you at this time. God Bless.
Neil was a great friend of mine for many many years and I cannot express how deeply my heart hurts for everyone affected by this loss. He was a genuine human being the kind of person who is rare in the world today. I will cherish the memories we had, and be praying for all of his family and especially Manny who Neil loved more than anything on earth.
I was saddened to hear of Neil’s passing. Sending prayers during this difficult time.
To Neil’s entire family, we are so sorry for your loss. The few times we were around Neil we always had such a good time. Hugs and prayers for this difficult time.
Kenny, Pam & extended family, I remember fondly come out to the Lucius farm on Scott Rd. to bale hay and straw. I am sure Neil was around there somewhere at this time. My nieces and nephews speak with great emotion of the friendship created with Neil and his sisters. May your strong faith and the love of family and friends be of comfort to you at this time. God Bless.
My memories are of Neil and Nathan playing basketball at Buckeye Central. What wonderful memories we have of that time! Hope you are all comforted by these and other happy memories! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers!
You are truly lucky in this life if you have the opportunity to know a person like Neil. I was fortunate enough to work with him at two different employers.
Neil was the consummate professional; always willing to jump in and help no matter the circumstances. Always a team player, he stepped in to handle many difficult situations, never requiring any special recognition for the sacrifices of his time and labor. He was much more than a colleague; he was a truly good friend. Neil will be missed by all who knew him. My deepest condolences to his family.
In memory of the beautiful being that is know to me as Lucuis.
You came to The Mill France as a Workaway Volunteer in September 2019 and stayed for 7 days..
7 days is all it took to form a connection true and deep, to set up a permanent home in my heart.
I am not alone in the devasting sense of sadness and loss in the knowledge that you are no longer with us in this current reality.
You touched the hearts of many, and lit up the lives of all who were lucky enough to encounter you, of that there is no doubt.
It is said by some, that we are mirrors to one another.
Your vitality, joy, passion and zestiness, your constant reiteration of how amazing the place was, and how proud I should be of myself, shone a light into my heart.
You helped me see my own strength and resilience, and self worth. I believe this allowed me in return to shine back at you all your own brilliance.
I know you found peace and connection here, in particular with the nature, the river and the breathtaking landscape, and our time together. I take comfort and happiness in the knowledge that the experiences you had here stayed vivid and true, never left you as you carried them fondly and closely with you at all times.
There was a passion and an awe in you at the beauty of everything..you saw it all, all the little details, we had the same lense of wonder and awe with what we saw, and heard,… all the things. I felt held and safe in your presence.- which I have not felt often in my life..plus ..you were so much fun to be around! I laughed so much. You will forever fill my heart with joy, so much gratitude for all of it.
You shared with me often the love for your family.
Manny- please know you were the absolutely love of his life. His heart, his voice, his face filled with love and joy everytime he spoke of you, which was often.
“Of everything I’ve done in my life, Manny is the one thing I am most proud and thankful for.. He is my greatest achievement.” He loved hanging out with you Manny and I know he wanted you to come visit here also.. I hope you do.
Jen -he was so very proud of you and your achievements, he acknowledged the hardship and difficulty times you have been through. He was in awe of you and spoke of the pride he had for you and what an amazing Mom you are. He really was so proud, and bloody adored your two children.
Ginni- I only meet you briefly when Lucuis was speaking with you one day via facetime, I hope I get to meet you one day, I know he had much love and respect for you.
He spoke frequently of both his mom and dad.. and all the love and support over the years.. Pam he adored spending time with you, happy to just hang out.. not many men say that of their moms!
He shared often how he loved being on the farm and in the fields with his dad, his happy place.
He loved you both so much.
Lucuis, the day you left The Mill on your first visit, I was filled with sadness. When I told you I was really sad that you were leaving you said. ” I’m
coming back Nat, I’m coming back..I promise”. And you did. A month later you were here with Jen, helping me with a very full, angry river that was threatening to flood the building.
I am sad that you won’t be back this summer as we had recently been discussing.. but I am thankful that I had the pleasure of your existence in my life at all…truly thankful.
You are here. I choose to feel your presence in the nature all around me, and in the fabric of the building.
You are returning back to the majesty of Mother Earth to whom you loved and are so connected.
I will walk to the top of the Hill this evening 25/ 05, and raise a glass of champagne in your honour, I know that would make you laugh and smile and say “Awesome!” I will marvel at the majesty of the landscape, and how insignificant we always felt up there.
You will always have a safe space in my heart and in my home. Travel well my friend, travel well.
Love always, Nat x
Love you Neil!
To family and friends; I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet you all. Neil inspired me to smile, approach life with humility. My smile is trying to fight off my tears as type this message. I wish I could be there to celebrate his life and share hugs.
I love you Neil
Brandon
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for all who knew and loved Neil.
Dennis and Jamie Lucius
So sorry for your loss. Prayer to the family for healing. I worked Neil for the last year at AFC, an all around great guy. He will be greatly missed.
Sorry to hear this sad news. We wish all the best to Neil’s family and friends. I have many great memories of hanging out with Neil, Ryder, and the rest of the crew in Dutchtown. No doubt we’ll all miss him very much.
We are so sorry for your loss will keep you family in our prayers
So sorry to hear about Neil. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
I sit here knowing I cannot find the words to express how dear you are to me. Meeting at Healthabit, we had such a blast working together. You were a support to me when I needed it most and always kind and compassionate. I’m thankful we stayed in touch all these years and I loved all the random WhatsApp video calls I received during your travels. Our talks about life and love and purpose and parenthood and music and flannels and socks. I love you and miss you. Thank you for being my friend.
We just learned of the shocking and very sad news of Neil’s passing. Neil and our son Jared were like brothers. They met as adults but it was as if they had known each other forever. They were always there for each other…….no matter what. When we lost our dear son in 2013 Neil dropped everything to be with us and never left our sides. Manny, our hearts are breaking for you and your family. Neil you will be so missed………we loved you like family.