Richard M. Neumann

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Richard M. Neumann, 74, of 703 E. Edward St., Ridgway, passed away at his home at 6:15 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009.

He was born in Ridgway on May 14, 1935, to Matthias J. "Matt" and Eleanora (Koester) Neumann. Richard married Mary Ellen Abell on June 30, 1960.

He was a electrician in the Navy until he retired after 23 years and served during the Vietnam War. Richard was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ridgway and also a member in Ridgway Knights of Columbus, Ridgway American Legion Post No. 596 and VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen of Ridgway; one daughter, Anne Marie Ruppenkamp of Clinton, Iowa; two sons, James M. and John J. Neumann, both of Ridgway; one brother, Don and Delores Neumann of Fair Oaks, Calif.; three sisters, Margie Aydt of Evansville, Ind., Cathy and Don Sanders of Marion and Mary Lou and Jim Doyle of Ridgway; and one grandson, Sam Neumann of Columbia.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Richard will be at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, with prayer service beginning at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ridgway with Father Mark Stec officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites by Ridgway American Legion Post No. 596. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Building Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Internet condolences may be made at the Internet site www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.