Joanne Celeste Wise

Joanne Wise, 79, of Biloxi, MS died at her home in Biloxi on Thursday, January 13, 2011 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born September 17, 1931 in Downers Grove, IL, a western suburb of Chicago. Her family later moved to the village of Oswego where she attended public schools. During the summer of 1950 she met a young high school teacher, David Wise, who had committed to USAF flight training. While waiting for Dave to earn his commission, Joanne attended Aurora College. They were married in Oswego in the summer of 1952, and Joanne began her long career as an Air Force wife. Like most military wives, she moved her family seventeen times in twenty-five years, and twice became the sole parent for her boys while Dave was assigned to remote bases. When Dave retired in 1976, they established their permanent home in Biloxi. Jo always loved helping young people. She became a librarian at the Margaret Sherry Library where she worked for many years. When she left there, she worked several more years as a volunteer at the Jeff Davis Community College library. She enjoyed playing golf and was a key member of the Keesler Ladies Golf Assoc. She also enjoyed bridge and played regularly at every opportunity. Joanne was preceded in death by one son, Steven Wise: her father, John Luettich and a brother, Jack Luettich. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lucien David Wise; three sons, David of Woodridge, IL, Jeff (Leigh Ann) of Biloxi and Doug of Winston-Salem, NC; her mother, Celeste Luettich of Oswego, IL; a brother, Dick Luettich of Savanna, GA; sisters, Susan (Leo) Froehlich of Goreville, IL and Sally (Chuck) Stading of Yorkville, IL; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. As she requested, a family memorial service will be conducted prior to the interment. Graveside services will be on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.