Neil J. Twenter, 86, of Lebanon, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 19, 2026, in Osage Beach, Missouri.
He was born September 3, 1940, in Boonville, Missouri to Joseph and Grace (Rugen) Twenter.
On June 14, 1969, he was united in marriage to Nancy Brown Sayers.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Neil grew up in the rural community of Pilot Grove, Missouri, near Boonville. He graduated from MU in 1967. He was number one in the College of Business with a degree in accounting at age twenty, making him the youngest CPA in the state of Missouri. After some time as a CPA, Neil moved to Real Estate Management for seven years as a general property manager for several developers in St. Louis, Florida and Oklahoma. After fifteen years in St. Louis, not in the car business, he decided he no longer wanted to work for someone else and he wanted to live in a small community, like the one he grew up in. He became interested in the potential of the car business. He first purchased a dealership in Sweet Springs, Missouri. Eventually, in February of 1981, Pontiac and Buick called about a dealership in Lebanon. In March of 1981, Neil purchased the dealership from Ebb Montgomery and for the next thirty-five years owned and operated Twenter GM. He retired on June 1, 2016. The dedication he had to our community and his customers was unmatched.
Neil is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Nancy; children, Paul Twenter and his wife Angie of Lebanon, Missouri, Michael Sayers, also of Lebanon, Missouri and Dara Sayers Stevenson of the state of California; four grandchildren, Halle, Abigail and Daniel Twenter and Ian Stevenson; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Neil J. Twenter will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 23, 2026, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with Father Allan Saunders officiating.
A graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m., also on Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Pilot Grove, Missouri (Cooper County).
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m, also on Friday, until service time at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel.
Memorial contributions in honor of Neil may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, 1001 N. Lynn or P.O. Box 948, Lebanon, Missouri 65536.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
