FROM ADA ICON - Bruce Neely, funeral director and owner of Hanson-Neely Funeral Home of Ada and Alger, has announced his retirement after serving the Ada community for nearly 46 years.

A retirement community open house takes place at the funeral home, 311 E. Lima Ave., Ada, from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 27.

“Since serving area communities from January of 1974 it is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement,” he said.  

“Serving a multitude of families for almost 46 years has been a great personal mission. I shall treasure the many personal relationships developed over those years. I thank you for your trust and loyalty and allowing me to serve your families at a difficult time.”

Scott Allison, who has served as a funeral director with Hanson-Neely since 2004, will assume ownership of the funeral home.

Neely said, “I hope you extend to Scott the same trust and loyalty you have given me. Just as Wellington "Wink" Hanson handpicked me to continue the Hanson Funeral Home service to the area communities and families, I selected Scott to carry on the tradition of service and compassion that the Hanson family had so generously passed on to me.”  

Allison, an Ada native, joined the funeral home in June 2004. He and his wife, Arlene, are parents of three children. He is a 1993 Ada HS and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science graduate and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer.