RANDOLPH, Ohio — William H. (Bill) Wise, 93, died at his home March 14, 2014.
He was born Aug. 1, 1920, the oldest son of Charles and Elva (Kline) Wise.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lou (Wohlwend) Wise.
In 1949, Bill and Mary Lou purchased a farm on Shaffer Road and became dairy farmers until retirement in 1986.
A member of the Randolph Fair Board, Mr. Wise also received the Portage County Dairyman of the Year Award in 1985, Portage County Citizen Hall of Fame Award in 1996, and a Centennial Farm Family Award in 2012.
Mr. Wise was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Church, Randolph, Ohio. His involvement included Home and School Association, Usher and Eucharistic Minister, Alumni of the Year Award 2007, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, Prayer Line, Parish Council Officer, Festival Committee, and Senior Citizens Group. His community involvement included Habitat for Humanity (Golden Hammer Award 1997), and he served as the Recycling center superintendent.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Marianne Wise; infant son; infant great-grandson, Nicholas Holzapfel; sister, Pauline Strahler; and brothers, Ernest, Joseph, James, and Fr. Carl Wise C.PP.S.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six sons, Charles, Dennis, Gerald, Donald, Tony, and Paul Wise; seven daughters, Diane Berger, Kathleen Hartong, Patricia Martinez, Mary Kamerer, Laura Wilson, Bernadette Mazak, and Theresa Horning; 31 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and two on the way. His brother, John Wise also survives.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue, Mogadore, Ohio. A funeral Mass will be celebrated March 19, 11 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mogadore, Ohio, with Father Thomas Acker, S.J. presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to St. Joseph Church, or the Randolph Fire Department, P.O. Box 190, Randolph, OH 44265.
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