GENEVA - Edna G. Neuman, 94, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at University Hospitals in Cleveland.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, she was born March 28, 1918, the daughter of Anna Kalweit Grapatin and Emil W. Grapatin.
Edna attended the North Center School and graduated from Geneva High School in 1936, second in her class. Her first job was with the Geneva Telephone Co. She was an accomplished pianist and performed with a piano orchestra across the northeastern states. In later years she played at local nursing homes.
Edna served as the organist for St. John's Lutheran Church for 50 years, where she was a lifelong member. She also was active in the church Altar Guild, the Lutheran Children's Aid Society, the Over Twenty-One (OTO) Club and the Walther League, where she met her husband. Ted and Edna's courtship included riding every major rollercoaster throughout the Great Lakes region and Canada.
Edna married Theodore Neuman on Oct. 18, 1940, and they were married for 56 years. After marriage she moved to Fort Clark, Texas, with her husband, where she served as an acquisitions clerk for the U.S. Army. Ted and Edna traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Edna was an avid gardener and seamstress, making her own designer clothes. She served as a Scout leader, PTA officer and spent many hours watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Ted and Edna were members of the Alamand Leftover square dancing group. Edna prepared Sunday lunch for her extended family for many years. She was an avid Indians and Browns fan.
She is survived by her five sons, Theodore E. (Linda) Neuman of Jackson, N.J., Craig D. (Bessie) Neuman of Geneva, Thomas R. (Cindy) Neuman of Geneva, Douglas J. (Billie) Neuman of Niles and Jeffrey D. (Mary Ann) Neuman of Kirtland; 18 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Edna was predeceased by her husband, Theodore, on Dec. 26, 1996; a grandson, Todd Elliot Neuman; two brothers, Harold and George Grapatin; and two sisters, Helene Berkopec and Myrtle Palo.
Donations in Edna's memory can be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Behm Funeral Home in Geneva. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Geneva, where there will be an hour of viewing prior to services.
The committal service will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
(special notice)