Clyde Wiseman Jr
Godfrey |
Clyde H. Wiseman, Jr., age 88 passed away Thursday September 9, 2011. Born July 6, 1923 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, he spent most of his life in and around Alton, Illinois.
He attended public schools and Shurtleff College in Alton and was graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
In 1948 Wiseman became a member of the original announcing staff at Radio Station, WOKZ Alton where he worked seventeen years, best known as the station’s News Director.
In a 1959 citywide election Wiseman won a seat on Alton’s City Council. Six years later he was elected Mayor. When he left the Mayor’s office Wiseman was selected to represent the Illinois Department of Business and Economic Development in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
In 1974 he assumed leadership of Wood River Township Chamber of Commerce and was chairman of the Transportation Task Force of the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council in St. Louis.
In 1976 Wiseman was named Director of Urban Affairs at the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association where he retired in 1988.
Clyde and Edith Delphene Wilson were married in 1948. She passed away in 1984. The couple had three children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mary Del died in 1957. Surviving are a daughter, Susan J. Turley of Greenville, IL and a son, Clyde of Godfrey.
Clyde married Jacqueline D. Hirlinger of Webster Groves, MO in 1987. She survives. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Kenneth and Christopher Hirlinger of St. Louis County and Susan Elliott of St. Louis. Other survivors include six grandchildren and two great grandchildren and three step grandchildren.
Clyde was an active churchman. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church USA and a coordinator in the Lay Witness Movement of the United Methodist Church.
He organized the Alton Area Presbyterian Men and established the Christian Men’s Council. The latter organization sponsored inter-faith fellowship meetings for Christian men in the Alton area. At one such meeting held at Alton’s First Presbyterian Church in 2001, the speaker was the most Rev. George Lucas, who was the Bishop of Springfield in
Illinois. It was the first time a Catholic Bishop spoke in an Alton Protestant Church. Wiseman was member of the Masonic Fraternity, Scottish Rite Bodies and Shrine. He was recipient of the Chevalier and Legion of Honor Degrees from the International Order of De Molay.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday September 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Alton, 514 Alby St. with Rev. David Crowley officiating.
Per his wishes cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorials may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63131.
Elias Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
