- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1928
- Date Of Death: November 22, 2011
- State: Illinois
Neva Jean Wise, 83, devoted wife, mother and grandmother died November 22, 2011 at Rockford Memorial Hospital.
Born May 4, 1928 in Dakota she was the daughter of William and Lula (Tielke) Henze. She was a graduate of Dakota High School and was a lifelong member of St. Paul Church of Epleyanna. In the 1940’s Neva was a pitcher for the Rock City Rockets. It was then that she met her future husband Robert, who was umpiring one of her games. On November 20, 1946 she and Robert Wise were united in marriage at St. Paul Church of Epleyanna, celebrating 65 years of marriage two days before her passing. Her love of music led her to become a country singer/songwriter and national recording artist under the stage name of “Kitty Hawkins” performing at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, WGN’s National Barn Dance and continued to travel nationally with her singing. She won the Country Music Festival award in Colorado, and the Country Music Star of Tomorrow in 1966 from the Country Music Association.
She was a songwriter for many country artists of the 60’s including The Wilburn Brothers. Neva was also a Semi Finalist in the Mrs. Illinois Beauty Pageant. Upon retiring from her professional singing career she continued singing God’s praises at various churches and special events. For 20 years she and her husband owned and operated the Belvidere Travel Agency and Loves Park Travel, which afforded them the opportunity to become world travelers. She retired in 1993 to Tarpon Springs, Fl. Surviving are her husband of Loves Park, IL and Tarpon Springs, FL; two sons Russell Wise of California, Robin (Jean Schusler) Wise of Machesney Park; grandson Robert John Wise of Roscoe; nephew Milton (June) Schlueter; nieces Sallie (Richard) Battalio, Sandra (Gary) Dotson; numerous great nieces, nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Roger and sister Nellie Schlueter.
