Gerald “Jerry” Wiese, 81, passed peacefully from this life and into his eternal home on August 29, 2026, at his home in Shannon, Mississippi. Jerry was born on February 21, 1945, to Gerald and Teri Wiese in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He lived a life defined by service, to his country, his church, his community, and, above all, his family.
Jerry proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for 21 years. His military career included two tours in Vietnam and three tours in Iwakuni, Japan. While stationed in Hawaii, Jerry earned both his high school diploma and his bachelor’s degree, a reflection of the determination and work ethic that would define him throughout his life.
The Marines were looking for “a few good men,” and they found one in Jerry Wiese.
Jerry served with distinction and received numerous medals in recognition of his exemplary military service. His responsibilities included aircraft crash, fire, and rescue operations, and he later served as a disbursing chief. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1983 with the rank of Master Sergeant after serving his country faithfully since 1962. But Jerry never really stopped being a Marine. The discipline, loyalty, toughness, and sense of duty that shaped his military career remained part of who he was for the rest of his life. As the saying goes, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
After retiring from the military, Jerry found new ways to serve others. In 1984, he became operations supervisor at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo. Jerry was the person people could count on when something needed to be fixed, repaired, organized, or simply handled. He could fix almost anything, was dependable enough to always get the job done, and was stubborn enough to make sure it was done his way. Those who knew him understood that the stubbornness was simply part of the package. Jerry especially enjoyed his time with the senior adults at Calvary and valued the friendships he built through the church. He served the church and his Lord faithfully for 19 years.
In 1998, Jerry began another chapter when he purchased the Natchez Trace RV Park. He took great pride in welcoming campers from across the country and helping travelers feel at home. Jerry genuinely enjoyed hearing their stories, learning where they had been, and sharing a few stories of his own. Most importantly, he never missed an opportunity to share his faith and his love for Jesus with the people who crossed his path. For all of the ways Jerry served others throughout his life, nothing mattered more to him than his family.
On August 29, 1964, Jerry married Diane, Together; they built a marriage that lasted 62 years. Their life together took them across the United States through the many moves and demands of military life, and Diane remained beside him through every assignment, challenge, and new chapter. The old saying certainly applied to Wieses: “The only thing tougher than a Marine is a Marine wife.”
Jerry was a devoted father to his children, Blain and Terina. He was steady, dependable, protective, and always present. Whether life brought good times or difficult ones, his children knew their father would be there. He found tremendous joy in being a grandfather and especially treasured his involvement with his grandsons, Casey Smith and Chase Threadgill, during their years in Boy Scouts with Troops 12 and 85. Jerry attended meetings, participated in outings, and supported them every step of the way. Few things made him prouder than seeing both of his grandsons earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Jerry also knew how to make time for the people and traditions he loved. No matter how busy life became, he always seemed to find time to hunt with his longtime and dear friend, Jim McAlpin. Their friendship and the memories they made together remained deeply meaningful to Jerry. Jerry will be remembered as a Marine, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a friend, a man of faith, and a man who believed deeply in service. He could be tough and stubborn, but beneath that toughness was a man who cared deeply about the people in his life. His was a life of duty, faith, hard work, loyalty, and love.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Diane Hadaway Wiese; his children, Terina Threadgill, Blain Wiese and his wife, Stacy; his grandchildren, Casey Smith and Chase Threadgill and his wife, Kristen; his great-grandchildren, Trevor Robinson and Paisley Threadgill; his brother, George Hadaway and his wife, Susie; and his sister, Nancy Murphy and her husband, Danny, whom Jerry affectionately referred to as his “sister from another mother.”
A celebration-of-life Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Pegues, Tupelo with an Honor Guard presentation to follow at 4 p.m.
A private family prayer time will follow the Honor Guard Presentation at The Stateroom of Pegues Funeral Directors with Dr. John Armisted and Pastor Terry Faulkner officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date and time at Pierce Chapel Cemetery.
Semper Fi, Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Pontocola Baptist Church, 181 County Rd. 404, Shannon, MS 38868, or to another charity of your choice.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.
