The Rev. James Lee Neuman, 81, affectionately known as Father Jim, of Hillsboro, died at 5:52 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Center.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, March 3, at 11 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 until 7 p.m.
Fr. Neuman was born on Dec. 21, 1944, in Quincy, 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. Neuman’s assignments over the years were served within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois: Church of Immaculate Conception at Mattoon from 1971 to 1975, Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Granite City from 1975 to 1979, Christ the King Catholic Church in Springfield from 1979 to 1984, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville from 1984 to 1990, parochial administrator of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlinville from 1986 to 1989, chaplain of Blackburn College in Carlinville from 1984 to 1990, and St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wood River from 1990 to 2001.
Fr. Neuman’s final appointment was serving both Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield and St. Agnes Catholic Church in 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. Neuman was an instructor at Marquette High School in Alton from 1977 to 1979 and at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield from 1979 to 1985. Additionally, he served on the Priest Personnel Board from 1979 to 1985, the Diocesan Finance Council from 1995 to 2014, and the Dean of Litchfield Deanery from 2010 to 2017.
Fr. Neuman enjoyed boat riding and fishing and cherished time spent eating out with friends.
Fr. Neuman is survived by his sister, Joyce Kroner of Quincy; several nieces and nephews; and 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. Neuman was preceded in death by his parents, John and Florence Neuman; brothers, John H. and William J. Neuman; and a sister, Marie Durbin.
Memorials may be directed to St. Agnes New Building Fund or Holy Family Capital Campaign. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle or for directions, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com and/or houghdeanfh.com.
