Charles Wise

Charles M. Wise, 78, died unexpectedly in his home last week. He was born July 18, 1929 in Mansfield, Ohio. He passed away after spending the holidays with his daughter, her husband, granddaughters and many extended family members, including the Bommer family and the Winkler family. He was planning his next trip to Iceland in April, and was always busy with volunteer activities, including serving as a poll worker in the recent election. He was already hard at work as class president of his Mansfield Senior High School Class of 1948 Reunion Committee, planning for their 60th class reunion this summer. He graduated from Senior High then attended Ohio State and Ashland College. College was interrupted by service to his country from January 1951 until October of 1952 in Korea. He was honorably discharged on October 29, 1952 as a corporal, earning the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge with two bronze service stars. After returning, he completed his education and graduated from Ashland College in 1955. He retired in 1986 after 20 years as a school teacher, mainly at Malabar High School. He traveled to every continent and over 60 countries. He was a lifetime member of the Second Infantry, Indianhead Division Association, VFW Post 2494, a former Post Commander and member of American Legion Post 16, and a member of the 40 and 8 National Box Car Association. In earlier years, he was a member of the Mansfield Skin Divers later Scuba Divers Club. He was very involved with the American Legion Buckeye Boys State Program and attended each full week of the annual event since 1995. He was particularly proud of granddaughter Hannah who was chosen as a delegate to the 2007 Buckeye Girls' State Program where she was elected a senator.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hilbert M. Wise in 1973, and his mother, Eva Schmunk Wise in 1969. He is survived by his brother, Jack T. Wise, his wife Shirley, their children Wendy and Bryan Lippus and Todd and Barbara Wise and their children Grant and Emma Wise. He is also survived by daughter Patty Wise, her husband David Francisco and their children, his grandchildren, Hannah, Mackenzie, Maya, Christa, her husband Tony, and Craig and his wife Amy, and great-granddaughter Libby.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 640 Millsboro Road, Mansfield. He always looked forward to Grandparents' Day at his granddaughters' school and contributed every year to the school's annual fund drive. Because of his support, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his memory to their school, Maumee Valley Country Day School, 1715 S. Reynolds Road, Toledo, Ohio 43614, or to a veterans' organization of the donors' choice. Wappner Funeral Directors assisted the family with arrangements.