It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Michele Rae (Reis) Neely, who left this world peacefully on October 25, 2025, at the age of 79.

Born in Belleville, Illinois, and a longtime resident of DeSoto, Missouri, Michele lived a life filled with compassion, laughter, and devotion to her family.

Michele’s grandchildren were her whole world and truly made the sun rise each day. She never missed a basketball game and was always ready to travel for volleyball tournaments, cheering proudly from the sidelines. Her love for her family was boundless, and her presence brought warmth and joy to all who knew her.

Michele found great fulfillment in her work as a massage therapist, a career she cherished deeply. She believed in the power of healing through touch and viewed her work as both a gift and a calling. Through her hands and her heart, she brought comfort and care to many.

She is survived by her loving husband, Paul Wayne Neely; her children, Yvette (Neely) Stegman, Stephen Michael Stegman, Justin Neely, and Leslie Neely, and her beloved grandchildren, Blake Anthony Shambro and Olivia Dorthia Stegman.

A visitation service will be held on Saturday, November 22nd, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in DeSoto, Missouri. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of Michele’s remarkable life and the love she so freely shared.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Louis Humane Society, in honor of Michele’s compassion and lifelong love for animals.