Joseph Neumayr

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Joseph H. Neumayr passed away May 17, 2017, at the age of 95, of natural causes; with his son and daughter-in-law and many close friends by his side, and in the caring hands of the staff of Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial, with Military Rites, was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday May 23, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery at a later date. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m, Monday May 22, 2017 with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Joe was born on July 21, 1921 in Delmont, SD. He attended elementary school and graduated from Parkston High School. After graduation from high school, he worked one year, and then attended Eastern Normal College in Madison, SD before entering the U.S. Army in August, 1942. He served until November, 1945 with 31 months of duty in Africa and Italy. During his time in the service, he played right end for the Army team in the North African Football Classic, also known as the Arab Bowl, in a rough, two-handed “touch” game. Although Army lost to Navy by one point, Joe’s pass catching and tenacious rushing on defense was noted in the Stars and Stripes and the game was covered by Life magazine. Joe was the last surviving member of his unit, the 280^th QM Refrigeration unit known as the “Termites”.

Following an honorable discharge from the Army, he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1950 from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He moved to Gettysburg that year to practice law with Kenneth J. Morgan. Joe practiced law, which included 31 years with his partner Craig Smith, until his retirement in 2001.

1950 was a good year; it was then that he met Bonnie Gidley, his future wife. Bonnie was working for James Tate, a local veterinarian, and Joe and Dr. Tate were roommates at that time at the Earl and Leona Olsen home. While Bonnie played hard to get at first, the attraction was mutual and Joe and Bonnie were married in Gettysburg on February 6, 1951. Beginning in 1994 they spent a number of winters in Mesa, AZ, until health problems prevented traveling, but Gettysburg remained their home until their passing.

Joe was very active in community service, including: member and past president of the Rotary Club, Treasurer of the Boy Scouts, Secretary of the Board of Education of the Gettysburg School District, member of the volunteer fire department, member of the board of directors of the Potter County Bank (later First Bank Gettysburg), a member of the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital board and otherwise affiliated with the Hospital and the Oahe Manor since 1952. Joe was a devout member of the Catholic Church and past director of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg.

Next to his association with the hospital, Joe derived much satisfaction from his involvement with the promotion, construction, and erection of the Potter County Veteran’s Memorial, located at the Potter County Courthouse. In addition to being paid for by many generous donors, Joe thought it was the best memorial of its type to be found anywhere.

Beyond his law practice, Joe was also active in the Gettysburg business community. He and his law partner, Craig E. Smith, purchased the water-damaged Gettysburg Bakery and got it back into full operation. He and a number of other community-minded investors started the Super 8 Motel. He and Larry Madsen later became owners of the motel and renamed it the Gettysburg Inn and Suites. His latest venture was the Firehouse Diner, recently purchased by Carl Hawkinson. In 2002, he was honored to receive the annual Citizen of the Year award from the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce.

Joe was very involved in the governance of the legal profession as chairman of numerous South Dakota State Bar Association committees, including several terms as the Chair of the Ethics Committee. He served two terms as a Bar Commissioner, was a four-term States Attorney for Potter County, and held the highest rating, “AV” from Martindale Hubbell, the nation’s foremost attorney rating organization.

Joe was once asked why he chose to go to law school, and he replied, “I wanted to help people.” Everyone who knew him will say he was highly successful in that regard. Joe had a curious mind, a friendly nature, and quickly made people feel comfortable. He had countless friends through the years, many of whom started as his clients. He was especially grateful for the companionship and assistance provided to his wife Bonnie and to him in their later years by Lila and Don Hericks, Arthur Quance, Larry Madsen, Geff Gunsalus, Craig Smith, and Todd and Amy Cordell and their family.

Joe is survived by his son, Mark and his wife Debra (Schaefer) Neumayr of Flagstaff, AZ; daughter, Paula Bailey of Independence, MS; granddaughter, Ann Baughcum and great-grandsons, Anson and Aaron Baughcum all of Winder, GA; and “granddaughter” Paige Cordell of Gettysburg.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; an infant daughter, Mary Jo; an infant son, Tony; parents, Joe and Mary Neumayr; brothers: Lawrence, Tony, Herman, Skip and George; and sisters: Helen Neumayr and Marie Luft.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gettysburg Hospital Auxiliary, 700 E. Garfield Ave., Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Joe’s funeral service will be webcast live (click on Livestream) and archived at this location: GetSHC.org

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Joe’s arrangements.