Howard Allen Neiman

Howard Allen Neiman, age 97, of Graceville, FL, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. 

Howard was a devoted family man…” family comes first” he was often heard to say.  He doted on and adored his wife, Barbara. Howard was raised poor during the great depression. He and his older sister would hike down the train tracks to pick up coal that had fallen off the trains to keep warm during the cold Ohio winters.  He learned to say “I can handle it” and “it’s just pain”.  When asked how he was doing, his response was a cheerful “Outstanding to Superb!”.

He was a hardworking and dedicated man. In his young teens, he worked on the lake boats of the Great Lakes and worked at Willys-Overland to help build Jeeps for the war.  He was a true patriot.  Howard joined the Navy at age 17 during WW2, he tried to join at age 16 with forged papers but was denied since he looked too young. In 1959, he became one of the very first Senior Chiefs in the Navy.  In 1960, he earned his commission as a “Mustang” Limited Duty Officer and served until his “forced” retirement after 30 years as a Lieutenant Commander.

After he retired from the military, he opened an auto-body repair shop and taught auto-body repair for 12 years at the local college. During his teaching, he earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Following his second retirement from teaching, he, his wife and two or three large dogs would take occasional trips to visit old friends in their motor home.

Howard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Neiman; his parents, Harold Calvin Neiman and Evelyn Ashley Neiman; as well as his son, Roy Allen Neiman.

He is survived by his loving children, Stan Neiman and wife, Laura of Dothan, AL, Larry Neiman of Dothan, AL, Janice Weatherwax of California and Cindy Brooks and husband, Michael of Graceville, FL, Kim Pate his “other daughter” of Graceville, FL; sisters, Thelma Spillman and Donna Welch; grandchildren, Lorien, Arwen, Christopher, Kimberly, April, Pamela, Brian, Alyssa, Haley and Zachary; and numerous loving great-grandchildren.

Memorialization will be by cremation with Marianna Chapel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 

In memory of Howard, memorial donations may be made to the church or charity of your choice.

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