Jon Francis Niedermeier

Jon Francis Niedermeier, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Hamburg, Michigan on Friday, August 15th, 2025, surrounded by family.

Jon was born in Monroe, Michigan on February 8, 1946 to the late Joseph and Mildred (Barron) Niedermeier. He grew up hunting and playing year-round in the swamp near their home in Newport, Michigan that later became the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant. There he loved to catch snakes and other critters and would often bring them home to throw at his older sister, Nancy. Those adventures sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors and laid the foundation for his skills as an outdoorsman and mischief maker.

A graduate of Monroe Catholic Central High School, Jon went on to attend Ferris State College and Cleary College, where he studied business administration. As a natural card and pool sharp, Jon worked his way through school while developing a legendary poker face that stayed with him long after his tuition was paid.

Jon met his first wife, the late Celeste Balogh, as a teenager. They married in 1977 and had Noëlle, their first of two beautiful daughters, the following year. The young family lived on a farm in Howell, Michigan where Jon boarded at least 40 horses before a tragic fire forced a career reset and a move to Chelsea, Michigan. It was there that they later welcomed their second daughter, Tara. Tara and Noëlle share fond memories from their childhood of summer picnics at the lake, day-trips to Irish Hills and Hell Creek Ranch, and lazy days cuddled in front of the TV watching Westerns with their dad.

Jon’s career path was unconventional, varied, and a reflection of his self-reliant nature. His first job was working for his parents at their business, Niedermeier Oil. Other early vocations included managing the band Bad Luck and Trouble, cabinet-making, and door-to-door vacuum cleaner and cable TV sales. In the 1980s, Jon’s natural charm and determination led him to a long-standing career in real estate. As a Realtor with Reinhart, he became a top salesman and earned a reputation as an expert in vacant land development and new construction sales with his involvement in the development of North Delhi Hills, Saddlebrook, Portage Bay Highlands, Chelsea Meadows, and other area subdivisions. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Jennifer Yount, through a mutual real estate sale.

Jon and Jennifer were married in 1993 and were blessed with four daughters: Marilyn, Eleanor, Valerie, and Kathleen. Following the birth of the twins in 1996, Jon built their home in Hamburg Township that became a favorite spot for children's soccer games, building forts, late-night bonfires, and catching snakes, salamanders, and other critters. Early on, the family spent many winter months in La Manzanilla, Mexico where they have a second home and a community of friends.

In 2015 Jon started his own real estate brokerage, White Hat Real Estate, which he and Jennifer operated until his passing. Their other joint endeavors included Niedermeier Produce, a family-run farm stand and produce delivery business on the corner of N. Territorial and Dexter-Pinckney Rds, and the acquisition, renovation, and management of multiple properties.

Jon was a supportive husband and an involved father, never hesitating to take the reins at home while Jennifer pursued her nursing degree. He enjoyed spending time with his girls and getting to know their friends while transporting them to their various lessons and practices, beaming with pride at each event. He shared with them his love of the outdoors and a spirit of self-sufficiency by taking them hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. He even taught a class on survival skills at their homeschool co-op.

Together, Jon and Jennifer were unknowingly forerunners in the FAFO style of parenting long before it was popular. Much to the amazement of onlookers who shook their heads while watching the ensuing chaos, they produced a bevy of amazingly strong, independent, and successful women. From Jon, his girls learned the importance of family, friendship, integrity, hard work, rest, and recreation - combining them whenever possible. Even after the girls moved out he maintained his involvement in their lives and would be the first to pick up the phone and call if he hadn’t heard from them in a while. They always knew that in times of need, whether it was a flat tire or some other crisis, their dad could fix it or he knew someone who could.

Rather than downsizing after the children had grown, Jon and Jennifer welcomed their teenage granddaughter, Jeanine, into their home, embarking on a shared mission to support her as she grew into a strong and capable young woman. Moving to “The Farm” shortly thereafter provided Jeanine with the space to practice independence and offered Jon and Jennifer a new community and, for better or worse, endless projects planned to keep them busy during their semi-retirement years.

Despite his full and adventurous life, Jon was a man of simple pleasures. He enjoyed hammock naps, beach sunsets, and a rare steak at his favorite restaurant, Knight’s Steakhouse, where he could count on a stiff drink and good company. He loved driving fast cars, but more regularly enjoyed driving cars fast, yet he could always manage to talk his way out of a speeding ticket. He had a distinctive and authentic style that included a Stetson, cowboy boots, a (questionably legal) pocket knife, and a Black & Mild cigar. Though he could play the tough guy, those closest to him saw his soft side. He had a little-known tradition of writing poetry for Jennifer each year on their anniversary and special occasions and he would often get teary-eyed at even remotely sappy movies (or commercials).

When Jon was in better health, he could often be found (or not found) hunting, fishing, or golfing with his buddies, and he had many of them. If you worked with Jon in any capacity, you became his friend or “partner.” He was a man’s man with a firm handshake, an infectious smile, and a sincerity that was endearing to others in spite of his ability to voice opinions that could otherwise be offensive to some, as he was not one to follow the conventions of political correctness. While Jon valued every new friendship he made, he treasured his closest, life-long friends who became brothers.

Jon’s favorite pastime, though, and greatest source of joy, was spending time with his family. He was proud of his girls and would tell anyone who would listen about their latest accomplishments. Despite having only daughters, he was also a father figure and mentor to many younger men over the years. But, for those special young men that his daughters brought into his life, those few who viewed his gun and knife collections with the appropriate balance of fear and feigned admiration and who were also able to respectfully tolerate his incessant micro-managing while holding their own, he welcomed them into the fold and came to love them as dearly as if they were his own. Jon came to relish his position as the beloved patriarch of an amazing and continually growing family. His presence is profoundly missed.

Jon is survived by his wife, life-partner, and best friend, Jennifer Niedermeier; his six daughters: Noëlle Niedermeier, Tara Balogh-Niedermeier (Richard Eakins), Marilyn Niedermeier (John Maguire), Eleanor (Cameron) Talbot, Valerie Niedermeier, and Kathleen Niedermeier (William Feldkamp); his granddaughter Jeanine Cieply; his sister Nancy (the late David) Suzor; father-in-law Bennie Yount; his nieces and nephews: Cindy, Todd, Tim, Brandon, and Autumn; numerous cousins, and many close friends.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life to commemorate the anniversary of Jon’s death on June 20, 2026 at Knight’s Restaurant, 2324 Dexter Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 from 2-5 pm. RSVPs are appreciated but not required and can be sent to [email protected].

For those wishing to honor Jon’s memory, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the following organizations that were meaningful to Jon’s life and journey.

National Kidney Foundation https://kidneytribute.rallybound.org/jon41cowboy

Alzheimer's Association https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/jenniferniedermeier/in-loving-memory-of-jon-f-niedermeier