John Niegos' Obituary
John Niegos, 94, of New Port Richey, FL, and formerly of Houston, TX, and Munster, IN, died on February 21, 2026. He was born in East Chicago, IN, on October 18, 1931, the only son of John and Zofia Niegos. He was known for his brilliant intellect, knowledge across a broad array of subjects, incredible sense of humor, a gentle, humble spirit and eyes that twinkled when you met him. He was a member of the graduating class of 1949 at St. Bonaventure High School in Sturtevant, WI, where he took first honors in the oratorical contest and graduated cum laude. He graduated from Purdue University in the College of Engineering, then returned home to the Chicago area to launch his career with Inland Steel and later Whiting Corporation.
He met Dee Wisniewski at a dance contest during the live big band dancehall era in Chicago. A few months later, they started winning first place together as dancers and decided to make their duo permanent, marrying on June 9, 1956. In 1977, they moved their family of six kids to Houston where John’s engineering career flourished developing industry-leading overhead crane solutions for Kranco, a subsidiary of Alaska Interstate Company, working as part of the team that developed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
In 1994, John retired from Clearwater Engineering and Dee and John moved to New Port Richey, FL, to be closer to John’s sisters and mother. John was a member of the Watergate Yacht Club in Clear Lake Shores, TX, and the Yachting Club of America. One of his biggest joys in life was sailing in Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in his Hunter sailboat, Dee-sé. He loved the wondrous world around him and took his children and wife on trips all over the U.S. and globe, including a 50th wedding anniversary trip with Dee to Paris. They spent 62 blissful years together before Dee passed away in 2018.
In addition to Dee Niegos, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Lillian Wanio and Eleanor Zych.
He will be sorely missed by his beloved surviving sister, Theresa Johnston, and his children and their families: Carole Smith (Mike), Lauran Niegos (Bruce), John Niegos, Philip Niegos, Patricia Liles (Stinson), and Richard Niegos. John was the best Dzaidzi ever to six grandchildren: Kevin, Brian, Matthew, Sydney, Ruby and Jasper; and great grandfather to Kaden, Kohen, Shepard and Hayes.
Shine on, you handsome devil of a diamond, and say hello to momma and all the other greats in the sky for us. Memories of you will keep shining brightly, even though your time with us here on earth is done. You’ll forever light up our darkest nights and continue to guide us.
Graveside interment is planned for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Trinity, FL, followed by a Celebration of Life.
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