Submitted by: Dan Rich

Wesley I. Neumann

Feb. 28, 1914 - March 31, 2002

South Bend Tribune 4/3/2002

Wesley I. Neumann, 88, of Elkhart, Ind., died of congestive heart failure on Sunday, March 31, in Elkhart General Hospital following an extensive stay.

Wesley was born in North Dakota in 1914 to the late Emil and Finis (Bennett) Neumann. In 1920, he moved to Barron, Wis., where he grew up and attended the University of Wisconsin. He also tested cattle for the state of Wisconsin. During World War II, he moved to Washington and worked in the construction industry.

Wesley moved to the South Bend area in the early 1950s and worked at Oliver Tractor Company where he was a supervisor in the plant. Wesley is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margarite L. Neumann; their three daughters, Darlene Arpasi of Granger, Ind., Kathleen (Henney) Stout of Overland Park, Kan., and Teena Raker of South Bend; two sons, Jerry and Bill Neumann, both of Wisconsin; a sister, Dorthy Hull of Prescott, Wis.; a brother, Elton Neumann of Niles, Mich.; six grandchildren, including Valerie Paris of Granger, Glen Paris of Spring Arbor, Mich., Gloria Parsons of Olathe, Kan., and Billy Raker of Fort Irwin, Calif.; and by six great-grandchildren. Wesley served as a Red Coat at Elkhart General Hospital during his retirement years. He was a lifetime member of the Elkhart Moose Country Club and an active member of the New Hope United Methodist Church in Elkhart. Wesley was an inspiration to all who knew him and will be missed!

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, and will be from noon to 1 p.m. today, April 3, in the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today in the Kaniewski Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Lee Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Hope United Methodist Church, 28765 County Road 4, Elkhart, IN 46514.