John D. Neumayer

8/14/1924 — 11/5/2016

Service Date: 11/11/2016
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John David Neumayer passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at the age of 92.

He was born in 1924 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Alois and Natalie Neumayer. He grew up enjoying all that outdoor life had to offer as he often told many happy stories of his youth. John graduated from Bonners Ferry High School participating in many sports including finishing third in the one-mile run at state finals.

John was a veteran of World War II, serving on the Naval destroyer the USS Hailey, in the Pacific Fleet. Upon return from the war, John married his high school sweetheart, Donna Dawson. They settled in Lewiston and raised their three children, Bill, Bob and Kathy. He worked for Albertsons supermarket for more than 35 years as a meat cutter and retired in 1989.

During his retirement years, John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and volunteering at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and St. Vincent De Paul Society. He was always active in the local Catholic churches, loving his church community and spending many hours volunteering.

John's main hobbies during his life included hunting and fishing, hiking and attending the various sporting events that Lewiston offers. Family summer vacations were spent at Priest Lake, Idaho. John loved his time at the lake, and he would often take day trips to the local streams and mountains to fish and collect huckleberries.

John will always be remembered as an outgoing and friendly resident of Lewiston who was generally a good and faithful "neighbor" to the entire community. Even in his 80s, he was a regular visitor to the local retirement villages and nursing homes as we would hear him say as he was going out the door, "I need to go and visit the 'oldies'" while taking them magazines and candy.

In 2011, John was selected to join veterans of World War II in an Honor Flight, where he flew to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to honor the services and sacrifices of all U.S. veterans.

To his family and close friends, John/Dad/Grandpa will always be treasured for his "simple wisdom and humor of life." That will be his transcendent gift to his children and grandchildren. He taught us to see the good things in life and always find a way to smile, be happy and be able to laugh with all that life throws at you. We will always miss him for those special qualities he gave to us and the world.

John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Donna: and sons Bill (Kathy) and Bob (Fiona). Daughter Kathy preceded John in death in 2012. John also had seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He had eight siblings during his life, of which five are still living.

John's celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at All Saints Catholic Church, preceded by a rosary at 10 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lewis-Clark Valley, 1021 Burrell Ave., Lewiston; or All Saints Catholic School, 641 Fifth Ave., Lewiston.

Service Information

Date & Time: Friday, November 11, 10:30 AM
Location: All Saints Catholic Church
3330 14th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

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Additional Details: Rosary will take place Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the church