Neal Lance Gildner

Neal Lance Gildner was born to Earl & Helen Gildner in Allentown, Pennsylvania on June 16, 1955. He was a 10th generation Dutch German whose family settled in Lehigh County in the 1740's. His was very close to his maternal grandparents, Ida (Metzger) and Clarence Delong, who farmed the family land. Neal moved to Texas in his early teens with his parents and brother, Maurice. He grew up loving all things mechanical, rebuilt his first motorcycle at the age of 10. Neal owned new car dealerships- Ford, Lincoln, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Buick, Chevrolet and GMC for over 30 years. Gildner AutoGroup was created by Neal and had his vision and personality everywhere you looked. At any given time you would find him directing a body shop repair, conducting a sales staff meeting, instructing a mechanic on what was the best approach to diagnosing a problem or drinking coffee with a longtime customer. Neal had a love of many things. Some of his loves was training horses (and people), riding, farming or just fishing. Neal Gildner was old fashion, he believed in helping neighbors, hard work and if you are going to do something do it right. He taught us many things, how to love, spend wisely and respect who you are and others. He was preceded in death by his parents. Neal is survived by his wife, Cheryl Batton Gildner, two sons, Ryan (Erin) Gildner of Bryant, Ark. and Tyler Gildner of Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren, Hagen and Koen Gildner of Bryant, and one brother, Maurice Gildner of Princeton, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016 at Heidelberg Union Cemetery in Slatington, Pa., under the direction of Heintzelman Funeral Home, 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville, Pa., 18078. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society, P.O. Box 73, New Tripoli, Pa. 18066 or The Guardian Angels, 1540 Malvern Ave "C" Hot Springs, Ark. 71901. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.