Dwight Wise Jr.

1930 - 2020

Dwight Wise Jr.

Dwight Wise, Jr., 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at ProMedica Memorial Hospital. Dwight was born September 27, 1930 in Fremont to the late Dwight Wise, Sr. and Mildred (Hackenberg) Wise. He graduated from Jackson Burgoon (Lakota) High School and was a 3rd generation lifelong livestock and grain farmer in Jackson Township, Sandusky County. He married Darlene (Nau) Wise in 1951.

Dwight enjoyed spending time with his family. He and Darlene were avid travelers and particularly enjoyed their trip to the Holy Land. They visited all 50 U.S. states having driven through Canada to explore Alaska. They played in a pinochle club and were members of their Farm Bureau Council for many years. He loved his country and was especially proud to be a Buckeye.

He had a strong sense of civic responsibility and was a devoted member of the Lakota Board of Education for 18 years from 1963 to 1981. He also served as a charter member of the Terra Technical College Board of Trustees (now Terra Community College) from 1969 to 1972 and was instrumental in the founding of Vanguard Vocational School as a member of the Vanguard Vocational Board from 1976 to 1981. In 1982 he campaigned and was elected as State Representative to the Ohio Legislature for the 85th House District and served in that role for 12 years. He advocated tirelessly for agriculture, education, business, safe communities and the environment and served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for numerous years. Among other projects, he was influential in securing funds for the Water Quality Lab at then Heidelberg College, the construction of the 5th St. exit on the bypass to help area businesses increase productivity and employment for Sandusky County and to preserve the Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area near Vickery. He was a strong supporter of the Ohio Farmers Union and the Ohio Farm Bureau through the years and was an active member of Fremont Kiwanis and First United Church of Christ.

He is survived by his children, Sandra (Dave Reber) Wise of Tampa, FL, Geary (Diane) Wise of Fremont, and Gail (Tony) Marshall of Van Buren; grandchildren, Dan (Julie) Wise, Abby (Mike Schmidt) Chin, Carolynn (Paul) Arpin, Andrea Wise, Jackie (Topher Rossman) Chin, Ryan Marshall and Logan Marshall; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Raya and Graham Wise, Mabel and Silas Schmidt and Gavyn, Evelyn and Emryn Arpin. He is also survived by his sister, Sue (Jim) Harner of Jamestown, OH. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles and James; and infant daughter, Denise.

There will be a private burial for immediate family Monday, January 4 at Smith Cemetery in Jackson Township. The family plans to host a Celebration of Life when conditions are safe to do so.

Memorials may be made to the Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity or the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hanneman-Chudzinski-Keller Funeral Home, Fremont.

Online condolences or fond memories may be expressed by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.

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