Rev. James Lee Neuman

Rev. James Lee Neuman, 81, affectionately known as Father Jim, of Hillsboro, passed away at 5:52 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Center. He was born December 21, 1944, in Quincy, IL, a son of John A. and Florence E. (Holtschleag) Neuman. He graduated from Christian Brothers high school in Quincy, with the class of 1962. He did his undergraduate studies at St. John’s College in Little Rock, AR, attended Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO and received his Master of Divinity from the St. Louis University School of Divinity in 1971. He was ordained on May 29, 1971, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Springfield, IL.

Fr. Jim’s assignments over the years were served within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Church of Immaculate Conception at Mattoon from 1971 – 1975, Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Granite City from 1975 – 1979, Christ the King Catholic Church in Springfield from 1979 – 1984, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville from 1984 - 1990, Parochial Administrator of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Carlinville from 1986 – 1989, and served as chaplain of Blackburn College, Carlinville from 1984 – 1990, and St. Bernard Catholic Church, Wood River from 1990 – 2001. Fr. Jim’s final appointment was serving both Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield and St. Agnes Catholic Church, Hillsboro, from 2001 until his retirement on July 1, 2017. He served as Pastor Emeritus at both Holy Family and St. Agnes parishes. During his assignments, Fr. Jim was an instructor at Marquette High School in Alton from 1977-1979 and at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield from 1979 – 1985. Additionally, he served on the Priest Personnel Board from 1979 – 1985, the Diocesan Finance Council from 1995 – 2014, and the Dean of Litchfield Deanery from 2010 - 2017. Fr. Jim enjoyed boat riding and fishing, and cherished time spent eating out with friends.

Fr. Jim is survived by:

A sister, Joyce Kroner of Quincy

Several nieces and nephews

Extended family members, Angie (David) Mizera, of Hillsboro, who were like his daughter and son-in-law, and their daughters, Madeleine and Natasha, who were like his granddaughters.

Fr. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Florence Neuman, brothers John H. and William J. Neuman, and a sister, Marie Durbin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro. Fr. Daniel Willenborg will preside. Entombment will be in the St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery. A Prayer Service will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with visitation following from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to St. Agnes New Building Fund or Holy Family Capital Campaign.

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