Fred L. Wise

1932 - 2017

Fred L. Wise

NEWARK: A funeral service for Fred L. Wise, 85 of Newark will be held Saturday July 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Newark Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home. Burial will be in Zanesville Memorial Park.

Mr. Wise died Friday June 23, 2017 at Grant Medical Center. He was born January 20, 1932 in Athens to Harry L. and Aara A. (Whitlatch) Wise.

He was employed for 35 years with J.C. Penney Company retiring in 1994. He served as geographic visual merchandise manager working in over 40 stores in Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Michigan and West Virginia. Additionally he had been employed in the retail and visual fields by Stiffler Bros. Dept. Store, Bintz Brother Dept. Store, Freelance Stores, Orpha Flowers Dress Shop, S.S. Kresge and Jones Gift Shop in Zanesville. He also worked in display advertising at the Newark Advocate.

He was a 1950 graduate of Zanesville Lash High School, attended OU-Zanesville and Yuba City Teacher's College. He served in U.S. Army from 1952-1955. He enjoyed traveling with his family and especially a cruise with his wife, children and grandchildren of the Hawaiian Islands. Fred had traced his family genealogy to the 1400's.

Fred served as writer, director for many talent shows throughout his life including Zanesville Ohio Grange, Frazeysburg Lion's Club and Army Musical Shows. Recently he has been associated with the Licking County Players Community Theatre and also served on the board of directors. He was also on the board of directors of the Ohio Community Theatre Association, served as Historian, received the President's Award and honored in their Hall of Fame Honorarium. He designed sets and recital ideas for Joan Garret Wine Dance Studio for over 55 years. He also designed sets for Pat DeMent, Barbara Black and Donna Huey Dance Studios in Zanesville.

Fred was usually involved in artistic endeavors including decorating for weddings, reunions, proms, dinners and dance pavilions. He had won many awards for designs of parade floats. He had a gift for writing poems and prose.

He is survived by his children, Aara Wise of Newark, Andrew (Sherry) Wise; grandsons, André Wise, Nathaniel Wise, Christopher Wise all of Canal Winchester; sister-in-law, Sarah Wise; niece, Sheryl Wise; nephew-in-law, Stephen Hartshorn all of Zanesville; and many cousins.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years Ales (Scurlock) Wise, whom he married June 1, 1957 and died on August 3, 2005; brother, Charles F. Wise; niece, Ann Hartshorn.

Calling hours will be observed Friday, June 30, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the VENSIL & CHUTE FUNERAL HOME 1850 West Main Street.

The family requests memorial contributions to the Ohio Community Theatre Association Scholarship Fund, 464 Sherwood Downs S Newark, OH 43055. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.vocfh.com