Jay Charles Wiseman

In his youth, Jay attended Dodge School and graduated from Ithaca High School with the Class of 1955. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Following his service, Jay worked as a farmer and held a variety of positions throughout his life, including at Wolverine Shoe Factory, as a construction journeyman, and with Detroiter Mobile Homes, Michigan Chemical Plant, and Alma Plastics. He later worked for the Michigan Department of Corrections, where he retired.

On April 26, 1959, Jay married Janet Marie Sparks. Together they raised their family, and shared 41 years of marriage before Janet’s passing. Years later, Jay found love again—meeting Roberta Scannell at a dance at Hawk Hollow. They married in May of 2009 and spent many happy years together traveling, dancing, and snowbirding in Arizona and Florida.

Jay lived a full and joyful life. He loved dancing, model railroads, fishing, hunting, and jeeping in Arizona. He was proud to have visited 48 states and much of eastern Canada. Known for his humor, Jay always had a joke to lighten the mood and a smile to share. Above all, he will be remembered for his open heart, open mind, and the kindness he extended to everyone he met.

Jay is survived by his loving wife, Roberta; children, Deborah McGowan, Sherry Erickson, and Chad Wiseman; grandchildren, Peter, Drew, Hannah, Meagan, Zoey, Zach, Adam, and Arie; and great-grandchildren, Valentina, Chance, Mina, and Mary Lynn. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Janet; and his grandson, Nick DeLong.

A Celebration of Life honoring Jay will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Moose Lodge, 811 Michigan Ave, St. Louis, MI 48880. Family and friends may visit from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a time of sharing beginning at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Parks Foundation in Jay’s memory.