James Francis McNeer

James F. “Jim” McNeer, 88, of Newton, died March 25, 2018, at Skiff Medical Center.  Born February 9, 1930, he was the third of seven children born to Robert and Barbara (McElwee) McNeer.  Jim was born in St. Marys, Iowa, later moved to Prairie City and eventually moved to Newton where he graduated with the Newton High School class of 1947.  Jim was united in marriage to Anne Leo on June 26, 1961, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa.  The couple resided in Newton, where Anne was a homemaker and worked various part-time jobs, and Jim worked for the Maytag Company (Paint Dept.) retiring in 1986.  Jim and Anne were blessed with two children, Karen and Jim Jr.  Jim served his Country in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1953 where he attained the rank of Sergeant.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Jim was a Jumble Word Puzzle and Crossword Puzzle aficionado, a meticulous and exacting person who was admired by his entire family and close circle of friends, a great family man who always watched out for his parents and immediate family.  He was an avid photographer, loved to travel and took his beautiful wife to many different spots in distant lands and took his wife and children on vacations all over the United States.  He took his son hunting and both kids fishing and mushroom hunting. He loved playing board games, video games and Farkel with family and friends.  He always looked forward to family reunions and visiting with his entire family that he loved dearly.  Jim was a strong Christian man, seeing to it that his children not only attended church, but that he set a good example by attending church with them, in which his children are truly grateful.                                                                   Jim died Sunday afternoon, March 25th, after being diagnosed with cancer.   Those who preceded Jim in death are his parents, his brother, Robert (Rose Ann) McNeer, sisters, Patricia (Delmar) Woody and Mary Ellen (Monte) Juett and in-laws, Bill Clark, Mary McNeer and Betty McNeer.  Those left to honor Jim’s memory are his wife, Anne, daughter, Karen Wilson, and son, Jim McNeer, Jr., both of Des Moines, his only grandson, Aaron (Karey) Wilson (Logan & Nevaeh) of Newton, his brothers, John McNeer, Charles McNeer, sister, Theresa Clark, all of Newton, his many cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.                                                                           

Visitation and Wake Services for James F. McNeer will be Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, with visitation at 5:00 P.M. and the Wake Service at 7:00 P.M.  Funeral Services will be Wednesday, March 28th, at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial to follow in the Military section of Newton Union Cemetery with Military Honors.  Johnson Funeral Service is honored to provide arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Francis McNeer, please visit our floral store.