William H. (Bill) Wise

William H. (Bill) Wise, age 93, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on March 14, 2014.

He was born August 1, 1920, the oldest son of Charles and Elva (Kline) Wise. 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. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Lou (Wohlwend) Wise; six sons, Charles (Pam), Dennis (Linda), Gerald (Judi), Donald (Brenda), Tony (Amy), and Paul Wise; and seven daughters, Diane (George) Berger, Kathleen (Bruce) Hartong, Patricia Martinez, Mary (Richard) Kamerer, Laura (Tyrone) Wilson, Bernadette (David) Mazak, and Theresa (Dan) Horning; 31 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and two on the way. His brother, John Wise also survives.

Bill was a lifetime faithful 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 Randolph Township connections were Habitat for Humanity (Golden Hammer Award 1997), Randolph Fair Board, Recycle Center Superintendent, Portage County Dairyman of the Year Award 1985, Portage County Citizen Hall of Fame Award 1996, and Centennial Farm Family Award 2012.

In 1949, Bill and Mary Lou purchased a farm on Shaffer Road and became successful dairy farmers until retirement in 1986, at which time they had already begun an abundant series of ocean cruises. At home, he enjoyed entertaining grandchildren with lively card games and domino sessions, never losing a youthful outlook. As age progressed, he maintained mobility with a collection of scooters, and his golf cart became transportation to and from works-in-progress in the barn. The golf cart carried him and Mary Lou on many starry-eyed adventures along Cranberry Creek. Bill will be greatly missed by his loving family and all who knew him. Special thanks to Hospice of Portage County for their love and kind services to Bill and his family.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue (Route 532) MOGADORE, Ohio 44260. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260, 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.