Paul Neumann

Paul Neumann, 88, formerly of Freeport, passed away at his home in Sycamore, Illinois on Friday April 10, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born February 17, 1927 in Heiligenthal, East Prussia, Germany to Robert Neumann and Martha Berg. At age 17, he was drafted into the German Army where he served on the Russian front until wounded. After his release from a British P.O.W. camp, he was not able to return home due to the occupation of Russian troops. He worked as a farmhand in northern Germany where he met and married Elfriede Danklefsen on May 25, 1947. They immigrated to the United States in 1950 and settled in Chicago. A year later he was drafted into the Marine Corps during the Korean conflict serving his new country with pride. After his honorable discharge, he went to night school under the GI Bill and learned the tool and die trade. In the early sixties, he worked for Ar-Dee Mfg Co. (now Sauer-Danfoss) which moved from Chicago to Freeport in late 1962. He brought the family there in early 1963 and continued working in the industry until he retired in 1989. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and presided over the local congregation on two occasions. He and his wife moved from Freeport to Sycamore in 2013 to be closer to family. He was a kind, loving husband and father and a wonderful example of service. There were many occasions when he would provide loving counsel and assistance to those in need. Often before a family meal, a plate of food would be prepared and delivered to a widow or someone else down on their luck. He shunned attention and the limelight, was soft spoken but not afraid to speak his mind when necessary and quietly went about doing good. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as a knowledge of the purpose of mortality which guided him throughout his life. He is survived by his wife, Elfriede, of almost 68 years as well as his sons, Paul (Sharon) of Sycamore, Illinois, David (Renee) of Carpentersville, Illinois, and a daughter Rebecca Kunz (Jay) of Seaside, California as well as 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Leo, and sister Luzia, during World War II and a sister, Monika Behling of Atlanta, Georgia. A viewing will be held at the Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, Illinois, on Friday, April 17th, from 5-7 pm. On Saturday, April 18th, there will be a viewing from 10:00 am to 10:40 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1716 S. Forest Rd, Freeport, Illinois. The funeral service will follow at 11 am with Bishop Jeff Sands officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name for the LDS Humanitarian Fund.