Merlin H. Neemann

February 23, 1927 - September 3, 2019

Merlin H. Neemann, 92 Kearney resident Merlin H. Neemann, 92 of Kearney, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at St. John’s Good Samaritan Home in Kearney. Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Friday, September 6, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney. The Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson and Rev. Dr. Michelle Holley Carlson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon with Military Honors provided by the Gibbon American Legion Post 210 in conjunction with the U.S. Navy Honors Team. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Merlin was born February 23, 1927 in rural Burr, Nebraska to Arthur and Lydia (Johns) Neemann. He was raised and attended school near Burr, NE. Merlin served in the United States Navy from 1944, until his honorable discharge in 1946. On March 28, 1948, Merlin was united in marriage to Avis Marshall. To this union four children were blessed; Steven, Janice, Michael and Susan. The couple later divorced. Merlin farmed near Talmage, NE for several years and later owned and operated Neemann Garage. He married Phyllis Johnson on May 12, 1978 in Kearney. The couple moved to Gibbon, NE in 1980 where he worked for Schuster Implement for 13 years. Merlin was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Kearney and the American Legion Post #0246 in Talmage. He enjoyed working with wood and metal in his workshop. Merlin also loved to collect antiques, paint and spend time camping and fishing. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis Neemann of Kearney; children, Janice Teten of Auburn, NE, Michael (Judy) Neemann of Lorton, NE, Susan (Roger) Rice of Nebraska City, Craig (Bonnie) Johnson of Holdrege, Sonda (Bernie) McClellen of Moorefield, NE, Brent Johnson of San Antonio, TX; daughters-in-law, Jolene Neemann of Omaha and Toby Johnson of Kearney; several grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; brother, Lee (Jo) Neemann of Lakeland, FL; sister-in-law, Helen Neemann of Lincoln; as well as, several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.