Mary Ellen (Abell) Neumann

Mary Ellen Neumann, 73, of Ridgway, passed away at her home on Thursday, October 29, 2015.  She was born on December 15, 1941 in Ridgway, the daughter of James J. and Leona F. (Naas) Abell.  Mary Ellen married the late Richard Matthias Neumann on June 30, 1960.  Richard preceded Mary Ellen in death on August 3, 2009.  She was a faithful member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church, the St. Kateri Altar Society, Red Hat Society - Apple Dumpling Chapter of Gallatin County, and attended the Precious Blood Associates in Belleville.  She retired as secretary of  Continental Grain and retired secretary of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.    Mary Ellen is survived by one daughter, Anne Marie Ruppenkamp of Clinton, Iowa; two sons, James M. Neumann and Cathy Fromm of Ridgway, John J. and Tammy Neumann of Harco; three sisters, Joann Hays of Greenville, Tenn., Donna Koester of Ridgway, Janet and Pat O’Leary of Long Beach, Cal.; two brothers, Raymond and Marge Abell of Dothan, Ala., David and Linda Abell of Pana; one grandson, Sam Neumann of Caryle; great granddaughter, Heidi A. Higgins of Harco.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, William J. and James Michael Abell; two sisters, Doris Pickering and Rita Armstrong.  Visitation for Mary Ellen will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2015, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway with prayer service at 7 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be the following day on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shawneetown with Father Steven Beatty officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery near Ridgway.  Donations in Mary Ellen’s memory may be made to the St. Kateri Building Fund.