Glenn LeRoy Neumann

Glenn LeRoy Neumann, aged 90 yrs., a resident of Elk Rapids, MI., passed from this life Monday, July 24, 2017 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Born Mar.31, 1927 at a family home just north of Central Lake, he was the son of William A. and Ethel (Hignite) and was the oldest of five children: sister Jean Blekkenk, brothers William, Don (deceased) and Gail (deceased).

He married the love of his life, Marie L. Bathke on Aug.5, 1950 at East Jordan, MI. She preceded him in death in 1994. He is survived by their three children: Stephan G. (Glenda Van Oosten) of West Branch, Michael L. (Laura Larys) of Traverse City and Melinda J. (Christopher) Weinzapfel of Kewadin, 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He married Irene W. Bush Jul.18, 1998, who died in 2008.

Christian faith was important to him throughout his life and he was a long-time member of Feast of Victory Lutheran Church, in Acme.

He began his working life as a woodcutter in the Antrim area and later worked as a draftsman and product designer of punches and dies for the pharmaceutical industry.

In his retirement, he enjoyed researching local history and was a member of the Elk Rapids Historical Society. He gave many public presentations on local history to the youth and general community. He self-published a series of four books entitled “Bay Breezes”, based on the collection of Elk Rapids Progress newspapers. He wrote and self-published an autobiography titled “Penney Pencils; Memories of a Country Boy”, detailing his experiences while growing up in northern MI. He also collaborated with Glenn Ruggles in the publication of the book “Elk Rapids, the first 100 years, 1850-1950”.

Glenn was a veteran of the Navy Sea Bees, having served during WWII in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations; New Guinea, Biak, Mios Woendi Island (aka Windy Island).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 12 at 11 a.m. at Feast of Victory church, Acme. Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the family plot at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids.

Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Glenn to local community food cupboards or Feast of Victory’s youth group.