Neal Branstetter, 69, of Carney, passed away August 21, 2009, at his home.

He was born February 17, 1940, in Cameron, the son of the late Leo and Dovie Branstetter.

On November 5, 1960, he married Carolyn Sue Boozman and they started their life together in Shady Point.

He was a long time employee of the Whirlpool Corporation in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and an insurance agent in Stigler for the MFA Insurance Company. He was co-owner/ manager of the Western Sizzlin' Steak House in Amarillo, Texas for more than 19 years, retiring in 2000. He also worked for DSI trucking of Oklahoma City, then Twin Fountains RV Park in Oklahoma City.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn "Susie", of Carney; son, Brian Branstetter of Los Angeles, California; a daughter and son-in-Law, Carrie and Kevin McCarty of Edmond; grandchildren, Kyle and Caitlyn McCarty of Edmond; a brother, Harold Ray Branstetter of Oklahoma City; a sister, Linda Sue Withey of Oklahoma City; and a brother, Kenneth Wayne Branstetter of Farmington, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Carney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer. org or Judith Karman Hospice www.iudithkarmanhospice.org.

Services are under the direction of the Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond.

Published in the Poteau Daily News & Sun {OK} - August 22, 2009.