Sally Ann Neubauer

Sally Ann Neubauer (nee Snyder), was born November 14, 1942. She was born in Freeburg, PA daughter of Carl and Sara Snyder, sister of Lois Bickhart, Carla Graham, and William Snyder. Sally passed into the hands of God on August 31, 2024 while being cared for at the Villages of St. Peters nursing home in St Peters, Missouri.

Sally is survived by her husband Ronald and two children, Debra Ballhein and Jason Neubauer. She had four grandchildren, Robyn Ballheim, Drake Neubauer, Natalie Donaldson, and Alex Neubauer. She also had two great granddaughters, Wrenly Donaldson and Cheville Austin. In accordance with her wishes there was no memorial service and she has been interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, MO.

Sally was a graduate of Selinsgrove High School and shortly after graduation she moved to the Washington, DC area to work for the FBI as a fingerprint specialist. After moving to a few other positions she landed in the Office of the Vice President of the United States where she was responsible for all of Vice President Humphrey’s travel planning. Soon after she moved to the West Wing of the White House where she was the Assistant to one of President Johnson’s advisors. When President Johnson announced that he would not run for a second term she was fortunate to move to the East Wing of the White House where she served in the Office of the Military Assistant to the President as an executive secretary. That’s where she met her future husband, Ron, who was serving as a Social Aid to the President. He was a Captain in the Marine Corps at the time. They were married in Arlington, VA on January 16, 1970. In November of 1971 Ron returned for a second combat deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. Sally continued in her position at the White House during this deployment. Upon Ron’s return he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps and while pregnant, Sally remained working.

She left her position in the spring of 1972, a total of six years in the White House. Their daughter, Debra, was born August of that same year. Sally considered herself very fortunate to be able to remain at home to rear Debra. She became pregnant a second time and Jason was born in April of 1975. In June of the same year the family was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan. This was a three year assignment and Sally really enjoyed learning the Japanese culture and took classes on flower arrangement and the Japanese art of Oshie. Oshie is a craft where embossed fabric pictures are create and framed.

Sally returned to Freeburg when Ron was transferred to Okinawa, Japan for a year. During that year both Debra and Jason were able to know and love the Snyder side of the family. The next journey was back to Virginia for a year while Ron attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Next came a three your assignment to Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The family lived in a house on base that overlooked the ocean and was a hundred yards from a private beach. Sally often remarked that it was a little bit of heaven right here on earth. Ron’s last assignment before his retirement in September of 1985 was back to Headquarters Marine Corps. Sally always did enjoy the Washington, DC area and relished the time there.

Ron retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was hired as the Chief of Police in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Sally was excited to move there as it was located not that far from Ron’s parents. This allowed her children to get to know the Neubauer side of the family. After three years in Florida the family moved to St Peters, Missouri where Ron again assumed the position of Chief of Police. Sally thrived there becoming involved in the community and taking up quilting as a hobby. She loved sewing and creating some pretty wonderful quilts. A picture of her favorite is included on this web page. In 2002 she and Ron moved to Maryland for a year and then on to the Dallas, Texas area, again for only one year. She convinced Ron to return to the St Peters, Missouri area so that they could be closer to their two children. She renewed her old friendships from the area and again picked up on her quilting hobby. She loved being around her grandchildren as they gave her lots of love and affection.

Sally truly left her mark in this world. She did so through her love for family, her patriotic spirit, and her strong desire to help others. There is a poem, author unknown, which is appropriate to dedicate to Sally.

“When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand; the angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above, and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home, for God looks down, smiled at me, and told me “Welcome home.” So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.”