John J. Nieman

John J. Nieman Jr.

Muncie - John J. Nieman Jr., 77, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Muncie on September 3, 1940, the son of John J. Nieman Sr. and Helen H. (Stinson) Nieman and later graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1958. After graduation he remained very active in the Dunkirk High School Alumni, serving as President, Vice President and Treasurer. He went on to receive both his Bachelors and Master's Degree in Education from Ball State University.

John taught in the Liberty Perry School Corporation at Selma Middle School for thirty-five years. He coached basketball as well as other sports at the middle school level. John was the coach and coordinator of the SMS Academic Teams (Skill Bowl and SuperBowl) and also an advisor for the Selma Middle School yearbook. John also coordinated the Selma summer baseball program. He was active in the local Liberty Perry Classroom Teachers Organization, holding several offices including President and Chairman of the Negotiating Team.

He was a member of Indiana State Teachers Association, National Education Association and Delaware County Retired Teachers. John was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine Club and Murpah Shrine Club.

John remained an active musician throughout his life and was a member of Doug Milligan's Starlighters Band for over twenty-five years, Alexandria Community Band, America's Hometown Band (Muncie), Mississinewa Community Band and Mississinewa Swing Band.

Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-five years, Nancy Carol (Pearson) Nieman, whom he married on August 4, 1962; his children, John J. Nieman III and Christina Michelle (Nieman) Holdren (husband, Alan); grandchildren, Katherine Holdren and Madeline Holdren; a brother-in-law, Larry Pearson; and a nephew, Scott Pearson.

He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pearson; a neiece, Jennifer Pearson; and his parents.

The family invites you to attend an informal, "come as you are" celebration of life from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in the fellowship hall of First Church of the Nazarene, 3101 North Benton Rd, where a pitch-in meal will be served.

Please do not send flowers. Instead, please consider a donation to Secret Families Christmas Charities or Second Harvest Food Bank.