Helen Jean (Neighbors) Wise, 84, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away on July 24, 2022. She was born to parents Fred Neighbors and Ursula (Heron) Neighbors, on 02/25/1938 in Springfield,Illinois.
Helen graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and the College of St. Francis. She was a math teacher at Grant Middle School and later a substitute teacher at St. Agnes and Sacred
Heart-Griffin. Helen was also a businesswoman, first keeping books for her Dad’s service station at the age of 13 and later managing the Mansion View Motel upon her father’s sudden death.
Eventually she became the CEO of the franchise group who owned the Hardee’s restaurants in Central Illinois.
Helen was an active volunteer with many organizations. Her interests centered around children and her faith. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a founding member of the St. Agnes School Board, secretary of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Board and a member of the St. Agnes Pastoral Council.
Helen married Robert L. Wise Sr. on June 15, 1957, in Springfield, IL. They were married for 63 years and together they raised 5 children.
Helen is survived by her:
- Children and their spouses:
- Cathy (Tyler) Becker
- Beth (Doug) Brockman
- Rob (Kristen) Wise
- Alicia (Kirk) Meyer
- Matt (Jenny) Wise
- Twelve grandchildren and their spouses:
- Casey (Autumn) Becker
- Kylie Becker
- Tim (Jamie) Brockman
- Lauren (Ross) Andre
- Terry (John) Nenni
- Jenny (Dan) Condello
- Kate (Justin) Zubrod
- Mark Brockman
- Jack Wise
- Michael Wise
- Robert Meyer
- Aiden Meyer
- Jacob Wise
- Isabelle Wise
- Nineteen great-grandchildren
- Seven great-great grandchildren
- Sister:
- Ursula Allison(Charles Kurrus)
- Many nieces and nephews
Helen was preceded in death by her:
- Husband:
- Robert L. Wise Sr.
- Parents:
- Fred & Ursula Neighbors
- Brother:
- Fred Neighbors Jr.
- Brother-in-law:
- William Allison.
A Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. for both Helen and Bob (postponed because of covid) is scheduled for Monday August 8, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave. Springfield, IL. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery and a luncheon at St. Agnes will follow. The mass will be live-streamed at facebook.com/stagnesparishspringfieldil/
Online condolences may be expressed at www.kurrusfh.com.
Memorials may be made to the following: Family Hospice, 5110 W. Main St. Belleville, IL 62226, Alzheimer Research, or St Agnes Catholic Church.
2 Comments To "Helen Jean Wise"
#1 Comment By Don and Pat Frank On August 7, 2022 @ 8:48 pm
We won’t be able to attend the service but want to offer our condolences to all of the Wise family. I always enjoyed talking with your dad and mom. I’ll always remember the kindness your mom showed to my son at the scout pinewood derby at St Agnes. He had made his car and the day of the race he was sick and couldn’t attend. I brought his car in and was told he was disqualified since he wasn’t there. Helen spoke up and said that car would race if she had to race it herself. The car did race! Helen always looked out for the kids to be sure everyone was treated fairly. They will both be missed.
#2 Comment By Sharon Meyer On August 8, 2022 @ 7:50 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with the loving family and friends of Bob and Helen. The celebration of life will keep their memories alive. God bless all during this difficult time. We will be watching the Mass Live. Thank you St. Agnus parish for making this possible. 🙏🏻 Grandma Sharon and Great-grandma Lavina.