Elaine Mary Neff

Elaine Mary Neff, a beloved wife, mother, sister, & loyal friend, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on March 3, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born on September 18, 1941, & grew up in Lake Cable. Elaine graduated from Jackson High School in 1959, where her mother was a schoolteacher. She remained connected with her class through monthly luncheons. She also attended Kent State University & later became a successful realtor & business owner along with her husband, John Neff.

Elaine dedicated her life to empowering her family to fulfill their potential. She had a grace within her that was truly infectious & taught her family to overcome obstacles in life by example. Elaine built lasting relationships everywhere she went & was a respected member of her community. Her genuine warmth & dedication to her catholic faith reflected the values she held very dear throughout her life.

A devoted member of Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Elaine found joy in both worship and community. She enjoyed the choir & her faith was a cornerstone of her life. She took pride in being one of the original members of her church, where she & her husband, John, were married in 1963. Together, they celebrated an incredible sixty-three years of marriage, a testament to their deep bond & commitment to one another.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband, John Neff, along with her sons, Richard (Shelley) Neff, Michael Neff, David (Kelly) Neff, & daughter, Kelene Degrell. She was a cherished sister to Nancy Wyles & her family, sister-in-law to Lori Wyles & her family including Lori's mother, Sonia Meck. Elaine was a proud grandmother to Kelsey Neff, Nichole (Logan) Wanner, David Ne, Jr. (Sadie Scofield), Richard Ne, Jr., Mitchell Neff, Alexandra Degrell, & Xavier Degrell, as well as a great-grandmother to Lainey & Lilah Wanner. Her family also remembers her close childhood friends, Mary Carney & CloAnn Kate, who remained important to her throughout her life. Additionally, she leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and great friends who will miss her dearly and carry her spirit forward.

Elaine was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Haymaker-Wyles, father, William "Thomas" Wyles, II, and brother, William "Tom" Wyles, III. Her legacy of love for her family, friends, and her community will always be remembered and cherished.

Calling hours will be held on March 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon, Ohio. A prayer service will take place on March 10, 2026, at Paquelet Funeral Home, followed by a Mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Canton at 11:00 AM. The graveside committal will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens following services. Elaine's spirit will live on in the very fond memories shared by all who knew and loved her.