Vern V. Wiese, age 89, of Hanover, Illinois died Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa.  A funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 12, 2012 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hanover. A visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Military rites will be accorded by the Hanover VFW Post #5300. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. A memorial fund has been established in Vern’s memory.

Vern was born on January 15, 1923 in Elkader, Iowa, the son of Ernst and Bertha (Mueller) Wiese.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946. Vern married Genevieve “Gen” Miller on November 14, 1959 in Dubuque, Iowa. She passed away in 1997.

Vern worked for the Savanna Army Depot in munitions and transportation and drove a school bus for the Hanover School District for several years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, as well as the Masonic Lodge, and the Hanover VFW post #5300. Vern enjoyed collecting coins, and helping mow the lawns of widows in town.  He also loved going on walks through the woods searching for morel mushrooms and walnuts.

Vern is survived by one special granddaughter, Kristin (Carl) Budd; four step grandchildren; seven great step grandchildren; one sister, Ruby Matz of Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law, I.J. Sterling of Simi Valley, California; five nephews, Leonard (Marilyn) Matz of Appleton, New York, Dennis (Ann) Matz of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Eric (Betsy) Matz of Hunt, Texas, Peter (Ann) Matz of St. Germain, Wisconsin, Timothy (Ellen) Matz of Alvin, Texas; and two nieces, Suzy Sterling of Simi Valley, California and Teri (David) Beardsley of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Vern is preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve; one sister, Evelyn Sterling; one stepdaughter and one step-granddaughter.