Mr. James Lynn Neis, 78, of Eastville, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born Feb. 22, 1947, in Beaver Dam, Wis., to William and Myrtle Neis. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1965 and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1969 with a major in business administration. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business and public service from Governors State University in Illinois in 1979.
Jim and Bunny met one day after school in 1965 at Dave’s Cue and Cushion Pool Hall while Bunny was sitting and having a Coke with friends in a booth and he came over to sit with them. They were married at St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown, Wis., and raised their two daughters in New Lenox, Ill., and Murrysville, Pa. He was the most dedicated husband and father who was always there for his family and never missed a game or cheer competition. Jim grew up with animals and had beagles, basset hounds, and yellow Labradors through his adult years.
Jim dedicated 40 years to a career working for the United States Steel Corporation Railroads, spending many years in Joliet, Ill., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Birmingham, Ala. He began his career in accounting in 1969 with Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. He transferred to Pittsburgh in 1980, where he worked in various positions for Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, Union Railroad Company, and Transtar. In 1997, he became general superintendent of Birmingham Southern Railroad and Fairfield Southern Company. He finished his career in Pittsburgh from 2001 to 2009 as general manager east and northern operations, where he was in charge of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company, Birmingham Southern Railroad, Fairfield Southern Company, The Lake Terminal Railroad Company, McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company, Tracks, Traffic and Management Services, Union Railroad Company, Transtar, Delray Connecting Railroad Company, Mobile River Terminal Company, and Warrior & Gulf Navigation Company. It was a career he cherished and loved.
Outside of work, Jim enjoyed a good game of pool, a lifelong love. He enjoyed golf and bowling, participating in several leagues over the years, and he cherished the friendships he formed through these activities. He was generous to people in need and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed goofing around with his children and grandchildren.
Faith and music were an important part of Jim’s life. He sang in the choirs of Mother of Sorrows Roman Catholic Parish in Murrysville, Pa., and Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Parish in Kitty Hawk, N.C., where he also served on the church board.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Bernadine (Bunny) Neis; his daughters, Kimberly Coates (Gregory) of Eastville, and Jennifer Mendrysa (Michael), of Ashburn; his grandchildren, Michael Bekampis (Ashley), Emily Mendrysa, Rylee Coates, Ryan Mendrysa, and Brelyn Coates; his great-grandchildren, Parker Bekampis and Lainey Bekampis; his brother, John Neis (Sue), of Oklahoma; and his sister, Jeannie Burbach, of Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William Neis (Mary).
A funeral Mass will be held on Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 545 Randolph Ave., Cape Charles, VA 23310.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Jim will be remembered for his kindness, laughter, faith, and devotion to family. Though he will be deeply missed, his spirit will live on in the love he shared and the lives he touched.
