John Brannan Laine Phd.

Joseph B. Laine Ph.D., age 88, of Oshkosh, WI, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Evergreen Retirement Community. Joe was born on February 1, 1924, in Charlotte, NC, the son of Jesse and Agnes (Murphy) Laine; he lived in Nashville and Memphis during childhood. Joe received his B.A. from Yankton College in 1949. While pursuing his Masters degree at the University of South Dakota, he met Shirley Wales and they married on August 9, 1952. She preceded him in death. Joe received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1958. After serving as faculty and debate coach at Marquette University, in Milwaukee, WI (1955-63), he took a position in the Communication Department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he served as professor and chair for 25 years. During his 50 years in Oshkosh, Joe has been an active member of the community. A former Boy Scout himself, he served as a Boy Scout and Cub Master. He was an active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church as a server, lector, choir, and board member; and he served the Serra Club since 1983. Joe was a longtime volunteer at Father Carr’s Place 2 Be and St. Vincent DePaul. After retirement, he and wife Shirley were members of the Timber Toppers Square Dance Club of Oshkosh and enjoyed traveling the US and Europe together. He is survived by children Laura (Don) Stertz of Omro, John (Willeen) Laine of Robbinsdale, MN, James (Lora) Laine of Sun Prairie, Patricia Laine of Minneapolis, and Linda (Robert Timmerman) Laine of Otley, IA; grandchildren Joshua (Kelli) Stertz, Nathan Stertz, Bethany (Carl) Nelson, Holly Zahn, Angela Laine, Alex Murray, and Kenneth Laine; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Tanner, Claudia, Jonathan, and Jayden; sister, Dr. Agnes Laine; brother, John M. Laine; sister-in-law, Patti Wales. Joe was preceded in death by his sister Rosemary (Laine) Bratton and his parents. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and community members. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Dr. Laine on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr. in Oshkosh. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to the service, at the church at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery following a luncheon at St. Raphael. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring Joe may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul , Father Carr’s Place 2 Be, or the Epilepsy Foundation.

John Brannan Laine Phd.

February 1, 1924 - January 3, 2013

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