John J. Neumann

Our friend, father and loving husband, John J. Neumann, was called to be in the loving embrace of God?s arms on March 15, 2002. Throughout his life, John Neumann stood tall. He embraced the ideals of fair play, honesty and personal integrity, and exhibited those traits daily in his devotion to God, his love for his family and his positive attitude toward everything he encountered in life. His spirit, encouragement and strength will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him, particularly his wife, 2 children and 7 grandchildren. John was born April 2, 1932 in St. Joseph, Michigan to Michael and Harriet (Demske) Neumann. A graduate of St. John?s Catholic High School in Benton Harbor, he was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in basketball, football and track. John received a full athletic scholarship to St. Louis University in 1950 and was a contributing member of the basketball team that participated in both the NCAA and NIT post-season tournaments. He was inducted into the University?s Billikin Hall of Fame as a part of the school?s successful 1952 basketball squad. Following college, John served our country as a Captain in the United States Air Force. At that time, he met and married his wife, Veronica (Bonnie) Eggleston, on September 17, 1955 and began his family. After a number of years traveling for the Mobil Oil Company, John returned to the Twin Cities and entered the real estate business. He began his own office, Mark 1 Realty, in 1970 and succeeded there for the next 28 years. He was a past president of the Southwestern Michigan Board of Realtors and recognized as Realtor of the Year in 1971. John was also an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and avid participant at the Twin Cities YMCA. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie – his two sons: David (Sherree) of Ada, MI and Richard (Bonnie) of Farmers Branch, TX – and his seven grandchildren: Andrew, Michael, Natalie, Steven, Nicole, Jessica and Michelle. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bernard, Harold and George. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Msgr. Eugene Sears will be officiating the service. Burial services at Resurrection Cemetery, St. Joseph, will immediately follow the ceremony.