Longtime Cedarburg resident and Port Washington High School graduate Joan (Eastwood) Neuswanger passed away Friday, May 22, 2026, at Village Pointe Commons in Grafton. She was 95.

Joan was born on February 1, 1931, in Chicago, Il, to parents LeMarre and Dorothy Eastwood. She had an older sister, Ethel, a younger brother, John, and a brother who died in infancy. During the Great Depression, the family moved several times before settling on Grand Avenue in Port Washington. Joan enjoyed her time there and was active in music activities at school, graduating in 1949. She spent some time in college before deciding to follow her sister into the military. In 1950, Joan enlisted in the Air Force, a decision that would change the course of her life.

Because of her technical abilities, Joan was assigned to learn cryptology, the coding and decoding of messages. This brought her to the basement of the Pentagon, where she worked for almost a year.

While in Washington, volunteers were requested for assignment in Germany, so Joan signed up and was sent to Wiesbaden to continue her cryptology work. Joan participated in an Air Force photo shoot about life in Germany and met another Air Force sergeant, Jack Neuswanger, who was also there for the shoot. They began dating, fell in love, and were married in October 1953. They were married twice—first by the Bürgermeister (mayor) of Wiesbaden and secondly in a Christian ceremony. They enjoyed a lovely honeymoon touring Europe. Joan was honorably discharged in 1953.

After spending time in South Carolina and South Dakota, the couple moved to Cedarburg in 1956 and started their family. Three children later and bursting out of their Fair Street home, they built a new house in the Maple Manor development across from the city swimming pool. Jack worked for Power Products (Tecumseh Engines) in Grafton while Joan raised their children and later worked for Cedarburg Public Schools as a secretary in the Special Education Department.

Life in Cedarburg was busy and productive. Joan and Jack raised their family, attended countless activities, worked hard, and remained active in their community. They took many memorable trips across the country towing a pop-up camper. The couple were devoted members of Community United Methodist Church, where Joan shared her musical talents by singing in the choir and performing on the bells.

Later in life, they became increasingly active with American Legion Post 288 in Cedarburg. In 2015, they traveled on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit the nation’s military memorials. They received special recognition as the first husband-and-wife team to participate in an Honor Flight together, which took place on their 62nd wedding anniversary.

In December 2019, Jack passed away suddenly after 66 years of marriage. Joan sold the house and moved to Village Pointe Commons in Grafton. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to their staff for the wonderful care she received during the past six years.

Joan is survived by her children, Pete (Amy), Kurt (Patty), and Linda (Dave); six grandchildren: Kate (Andy), Annie, Alena (Roman), Vio, Nicholas, and Cassandra.

A memorial service for Joan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Community United Methodist Church, W68N563 Evergreen Blvd., Cedarburg, WI. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial donations to the Cedarburg Public Library, ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, or American Legion Post 288 are appreciated.