GERALD NEU, 77

GERALD NEU, 77, passed away Friday, July 24, 2009 at his home in Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, he graduated from North Side High School in 1950 and attended St. Francis University. He was a military police officer in the US Army and served on the Fort Wayne Police Department from 1957 through 1977, retiring as Chief of Police. During his time as a police officer, he was an administrator of the Allen Superior Court Misdemeanor Traffic Division. After retiring from the police department, he served as the Superintendent of Public Streets from 1978 to 1979; served with the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney Staff; was an investigator for the Allen County Welfare Department; worked for the Indiana Department of Transportation; and served on the State of Indiana Alcohol Beverage Commission.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 47; Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police; he was an Honorary Kentucky Colonel; and Honorary Commander of the Old Fort; 1973 Liberty Bell Recipient presented by Allen County Bar Association; 1977 Police Officer of the year. In 1959, he was one of the founders of the Police Athletic League and the first director. He was a team member of the State Champion F.O.P Basketball Team in 1957 & 1958; City Fast Pitch Champion Team “Baker Standard Service” in 1963. He was also a former football coach at Queen of Angels Catholic Grade School during early 1970’s.

He is survived by wife, Ruth Neu of Fort Wayne; children, Terry (Beth) Neu of Richmond, VA, Christine (Terry) Hill of Leo, and Robert (Ann) Neu of Fort Wayne; sister, Dorothy Holsworth of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Amanda (John) Etter, Sydney Neu, Kyle Neu, and Matthew Neu of Fort Wayne, Andrew of Richmond, VA, Nikki Hill, Becca Hill both of Leo; great-grandchildren, Haley and Adrianna Etter.

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Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Marie Neu; sisters Ilo Delores Neu, Hutoka Neireiter, Donna Benschneider; and brother Thyral (Bud) Neu.

Service was 10 a.m. Tuesday at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home,  1140 Lake Avenue with calling one hour prior, Fr. Gary Sigler officiating.  Calling from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.