Juanita C. Schlicher

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 (RSV-CE) Beloved wife, mother, and enthusiastic naturalized American citizen Juanita Schlicher transitioned into God’s Presence from Biloxi, Mississippi, late Independence Day. Her passing was peaceful and holy, and a blessing for her gathered loved ones. Born into a devout Catholic family in Acao, La Union, Philippines, the daughter of Maria Tumbaga and Louis de la Cruz, Juanita was an accomplished singer, fashion model, and college student in Baguio when she met and married Elmer Schlicher, a member of the occupying United States Army Air Corps following World War II. As a teenager during the Japanese occupation of World War II, however, she disguised herself as a young man and served the Philippine guerilla resistence for three years as a runner and artillery spotter. Juanita came to the United States with her husband, Elmer, and first-born infant son, Rex, in early 1952. Their subsequent eight children—Cid, Floyd, Paul, James, Mary, John, Bob, and Bill—were born in assorted American states and territories as the U.S. Air Force determined Elmer’s skills were needed. Through it all, Juanita, fiercely protective, maintained her strong faith in God in times of both great joy and profound sorrow. Finally settling in Biloxi, the family belonged to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, and Juanita worked for their parish school for 18 years as a playground supervisor and activities organizer. Many former students remember her no-nonsense, motherly guidance when children playing on the school’s playground, and several continued to visit her in the years since, well into their own adulthoods. (She’d learned a thing or two as the mother of nine!) Juanita is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Gloria and Aida, as well as by her son, Paul. She is survived by her husband Elmer; and their children Rex (and daughter-in-law Jeannette), Cid, Floyd, James (Rhonda), Mary, John (Joanne), Bob (Linda Graham), and Bill (Jamie), and close friends considered family, Melanie Caldwell and Robert Harenski.. She is also survived by her grandchildren Paul L., Mary E. Logan, Gary, Thea Albertson, Robyn, Jacob, Ryan, Samuel, Jason, R. Michael, Joshua, Julian, Zakk, Matthew, and Patrick. Great-grandchildren Nadia, Jacob Logan, Shawn-David Logan, Madeleine Albertson, Destiny, and Heather also survive. Juanita covered all in her constant prayer to God on our behalf, and we fully expect her to continue to do so from her new home. A public visitation will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, Biloxi, on Sunday, July 13, 2014, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, on Monday, July 14, at 11:15 p.m. A graveside service and burial will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.