Neil M. Honkala

CORVALLIS – Neil M. Honkala, 56, of Corvallis passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022.  He was born August 19, 1965 in Ishpeming, MI, the son of Frank and Shirley Honkala.

Neil was raised and educated in Ishpeming, graduating from Westwood High in 1983.  After high school, he moved to New Hampshire and worked concrete with his brothers.  Neil then moved to Colorado and continued in the construction trade before moving to Florida.  Neil went to the Police Academy in Florida in 1988 which began his long career in Law Enforcement which spanned over 30 years in Florida and Montana.  He was so proud of all the people he was able to help throughout his career.  Neil also had a love of skydiving which led him to being a skydiving instructor for 17 years while in Florida and also a firearms instructor for many years.  While skydive instructing he met Stacy Haywood and they married on Aug. 21, 2004 and together raised 4 children, Sophia, Jacob, Erica and Kayla.  Together the family moved to Montana in January of 2016.  Neil continued with firearm instructing in Montana with the Bitterroot Blasters and he also served as the Armorer and a committed officer for the Hamilton Police Department.  He took great pride and enjoyment in his positions for 31/2 years. 

Neil will be remembered as a very hard working man who loved his time in Law Enforcement, especially S.W.A.T.  He enjoyed shooting, especially competitive shooting, hunting, woodworking, forging knives, four wheeling and dirt biking.  His greatest love was spending time with his children and family.  Neil had a generous heart of gold and never hesitated to help people out.  He was always affectionate and determined to accomplish anything he started to do.

Neil was preceded in death by his father, Frank Honkala; and 2 brothers, Dean and Scott.  He is survived by his wife, Stacy, of Corvallis; his 4 children, Sophia, Jacob, Erica and Kayla all of Corvallis; his mother, Shirley Honkala of Michigan; 3 brothers, Calvin (Mary) Honkala and Chris Honkala of Michigan and Keith (Sonja) of Florida; his sister, Ann (Tim) Lequia of Michigan; his best friend, Robert Hagerty of Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Daly-Leach Chapel with burial to follow in the Corvallis Cemetery.  There will be a reception following the services in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.      

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