1948
Roland
2025
Roland Neumann
February 20, 1948 — July 11, 2025
Roland Ferdinand Neumann III, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025 at his home.
Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, July 14, 2025 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday July 15 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Boiling Springs Cemetery.
Roland was born on February 20, 1948 in St. Louis, MO to Roland Ferdinand Neumann II and Ruth Mary (Herlemann) Neumann. He was the first of three children born to Roland and Mary.
When he was in grade school, his family moved to Edina, MN. He was a member of the Edina High School Marching Band and played clarinet. He enjoyed music very much and became a talented musician, mastering saxophone and oboe in addition to clarinet. Due to his musical ability, he was selected numerous times to perform at the Interlochen Music Camp. Along with his family, he often visited his grandparents, Russell and Ruth Herlemann, who owned a farm in Quincy IL.
At age 19, he surrendered his life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On June 16, 1973, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. While attending the University of Minnesota, he led a Bible study on campus and met Patricia Helen Crow who was also on campus attending the Bible study. They soon became best friends and started dating. In January 1974, he joined a missionary team and traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico. He stayed for four months, preaching the gospel, doing outdoor worship and witnessing the Lord moving in mighty ways as he preached to the locals. After returning to the US, he proposed to Patricia (Patty) and they married on September 28, 1974.
They settled in Minnetonka, MN, then later moved to Northfield, MN, where he pastored a small church for three years. Their first two children, Elizabeth and Bryan, were born during those years. Both he and Patty enjoyed singing and playing guitar.
In 1978, he moved his family to Waco, TX and attended Baylor University, studying accounting. He accepted a position with the Internal Revenue Service as an internal revenue agent, and moved his family to Garland, TX. While employed at the IRS, he was accepted into Baylor’s Masters program, and moved his family back to Waco to continue his studies while working at the IRS. He graduated with a Masters in Taxation. He added to his professional titles by also becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While living in TX, their daughters Sarah and Rosalie were born.
In 1986, he moved his family to Champaign, IL to begin studies for a PhD in Accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After two years he returned to work for the Internal Revenue Service. He moved his family to Normal, IL in 1988 and to Forsyth, IL in 1993 due to job location changes. He continued working for the IRS until his retirement in 2014. While living in Forsyth, IL, their children Christine and William were born. Forsyth was where he would live the rest of his life. He and Patty were married for over 50 years.
Throughout the years, he continued playing his guitar and singing, often playing piano as well. He and Patty taught their six children at home.
He was blessed with much intelligence and an analytical mind, which aided him in his career at the IRS. Throughout his career, he performed audits for individuals, and coordinated audits for businesses of all sizes including very large corporations. He gained respect from his audit teams due to his kind demeanor and sensible approach to the work. On their property in Forsyth, he was fond of the many trees, hills and creek. After retirement, he spent much time sawing and pruning trees, mowing, gardening and maintaining the creek. He was a savvy investor and managed the family’s finances wisely. He was always ready to lend a hand to those in need, such as to his daughters when they needed help with vehicle maintenance. More than anything he loved his Jesus and his family and was a diligent provider and an ardent protector of his family.
Roland is survived by his beloved wife Patty, their six children Elizabeth, Bryan (Jessica), Sarah (Daniel), Rosalie (David), Christine and William (Kara); eleven grandchildren, one soon to be born grandchild; four step-grandchildren; sister Barbara; half-brothers Robert and Lawrence; an aunt; two nephews and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Bruce, three uncles, and an aunt.
Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, July 14, 2025 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday July 15 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Boiling Springs Cemetery.
Roland was born on February 20, 1948 in St. Louis, MO to Roland Ferdinand Neumann II and Ruth Mary (Herlemann) Neumann. He was the first of three children born to Roland and Mary.
When he was in grade school, his family moved to Edina, MN. He was a member of the Edina High School Marching Band and played clarinet. He enjoyed music very much and became a talented musician, mastering saxophone and oboe in addition to clarinet. Due to his musical ability, he was selected numerous times to perform at the Interlochen Music Camp. Along with his family, he often visited his grandparents, Russell and Ruth Herlemann, who owned a farm in Quincy IL.
At age 19, he surrendered his life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On June 16, 1973, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. While attending the University of Minnesota, he led a Bible study on campus and met Patricia Helen Crow who was also on campus attending the Bible study. They soon became best friends and started dating. In January 1974, he joined a missionary team and traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico. He stayed for four months, preaching the gospel, doing outdoor worship and witnessing the Lord moving in mighty ways as he preached to the locals. After returning to the US, he proposed to Patricia (Patty) and they married on September 28, 1974.
They settled in Minnetonka, MN, then later moved to Northfield, MN, where he pastored a small church for three years. Their first two children, Elizabeth and Bryan, were born during those years. Both he and Patty enjoyed singing and playing guitar.
In 1978, he moved his family to Waco, TX and attended Baylor University, studying accounting. He accepted a position with the Internal Revenue Service as an internal revenue agent, and moved his family to Garland, TX. While employed at the IRS, he was accepted into Baylor’s Masters program, and moved his family back to Waco to continue his studies while working at the IRS. He graduated with a Masters in Taxation. He added to his professional titles by also becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While living in TX, their daughters Sarah and Rosalie were born.
In 1986, he moved his family to Champaign, IL to begin studies for a PhD in Accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After two years he returned to work for the Internal Revenue Service. He moved his family to Normal, IL in 1988 and to Forsyth, IL in 1993 due to job location changes. He continued working for the IRS until his retirement in 2014. While living in Forsyth, IL, their children Christine and William were born. Forsyth was where he would live the rest of his life. He and Patty were married for over 50 years.
Throughout the years, he continued playing his guitar and singing, often playing piano as well. He and Patty taught their six children at home.
He was blessed with much intelligence and an analytical mind, which aided him in his career at the IRS. Throughout his career, he performed audits for individuals, and coordinated audits for businesses of all sizes including very large corporations. He gained respect from his audit teams due to his kind demeanor and sensible approach to the work. On their property in Forsyth, he was fond of the many trees, hills and creek. After retirement, he spent much time sawing and pruning trees, mowing, gardening and maintaining the creek. He was a savvy investor and managed the family’s finances wisely. He was always ready to lend a hand to those in need, such as to his daughters when they needed help with vehicle maintenance. More than anything he loved his Jesus and his family and was a diligent provider and an ardent protector of his family.
Roland is survived by his beloved wife Patty, their six children Elizabeth, Bryan (Jessica), Sarah (Daniel), Rosalie (David), Christine and William (Kara); eleven grandchildren, one soon to be born grandchild; four step-grandchildren; sister Barbara; half-brothers Robert and Lawrence; an aunt; two nephews and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Bruce, three uncles, and an aunt.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roland Neumann, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home - Decatur
Funeral Service
Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home - Decatur
Guestbook
Visits: 7
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors