A.J. Wiss, III Obituary (1946 - 2023)

A.J. Wiss, III, 76, of Pana passed away Friday, June 23, 2023 at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He was born July 1, 1946 in Pana to the late A.J. Wiss, Jr. & Betty (Haverfield) Wiss. A.J. married Sandie Deason on April 8, 1967 in Biloxi, MS and she survives in Pana, IL. A.J. was a graduate of Sacred Heart School, Pana, Pana High School and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice. He served in the U.S. Air Force from February, 1967 to December, 1970, with the rank of Sergeant. He served stateside as well as in Thailand during the Vietnam era. In September of 2022, A.J. attended the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. After his time in the service, A.J. worked for Western Auto/True Value and opened Wiss Electronics. He was a 3rd generation owner of Pana Iron, along with owning and operating Byte Size Computers. Most recently, A.J. was a Code Enforcement Officer for the city of Pana. A.J. was a member of many organizations in Pana including St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana, where he was a part of the choir, Pana Rotary Club, Pana Lions Club, Pana VFW, Pana American Legion, Pana Knights of Columbus, Pana Jaycees, the Police Board, Pana Country Club and Pana Veterans Honor Guard. He was also a member of the Pana Community Hospital board, First National Bank board, Pana Industrial Development Corporation, Primetime and Pana Pride. He served as the Bicentennial Chairman of Pana in 1976, was a Pana City Councilman for two terms, serving for 12 years, and was the chairman for the Christian County Republicans. He enjoyed golfing and being a private pilot. A sharp-witted husband, father, brother, and friend, he loved telling stories, and he loved people. In addition to his wife, A.J. is survived by his children: Kelley (Dennis) Self, Springfield, MO and Karen (Steve) Clark, Loveland, CO; grandchildren: Chelsea Sasser (Sandy Morris), Robby Sasser (Ruth DeBaise), Grace Clark, Tatum Clark; great grandchildren: Rylee, Addison, and Harley; sisters: Kay Isacson, West Chester, OH, Linda Dust, Assumption, IL and Janice LaBounty, Springfield, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dr. Thomas Wiss. Funeral mass for A.J. will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. with Father Joseph Havrilka officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pana, with military rites by Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home. Memorials in A.J.'s honor may be made to the Pana Community Hospital Foundation and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.