Fred W. Wise Jr.

Fred W. Wise Jr., 84, of Clarion, died on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at his home. Born on April 12, 1928, in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Fred Wise, Sr. and Sara Haines. On Aug. 9, 1952, he and LaGene Hummel were married. He graduated from Sykesville High School in 1946 and obtained degrees from both Clarion University and Penn State. For over fifty years, Fred was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion and of the John M. Read Masonic Lodge of Reynoldsville. He was also a member of the National Huguenot Society and the Amateur Radio Club of Clarion. Mr. Wise was a well-loved science teacher at Keystone High School from 1953 to 1991. By creating fun and engaging science lessons, he aspired to create students with a lifelong interest in learning. Scientific experiments were regularly enjoyed by all. Fred was an accomplished artist, bicyclist, conversationalist, photographer, genealogist, supportive ally, certified ham radio operator, stained glass craftsman and nurturer of an Ubuntu forest. Since 1950, each day was symbolically documented in one of his well-known "flower garden stones" which he sold at the Cooks Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts. As a lifelong learner and creative free thinker, he embraced life while bringing science to his art and art to his science. He is survived by his children: Dr. Kevin Wise and Mila Hyde, of Carbondale, Ill., Lori and Daniel Grunick of Knox, Beth Wise of Mountain View, Calif., Kirke and Kathy Wise of Strattanville; and grandchildren: Ezra Grunick and Tricia Nale of Sligo, Arlyn Grunick and Takeru Garcia of Austin, Texas, Miria Grunick and Thierry Lamarre of Hoboken, NJ, Adam and Aaron Wise of Strattanville, and Irene and William Groethe of Mountain View, Calif; and one great grandchild: Fredrick Sohei Gibo of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his treasured extended family and a brother, Howard Wise of Spring Mills. In addition to his parents, Mr. Wise was preceded in death by his wife, LaGene Wise, and an infant grandson, Michael Grunick. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, 638 Wood Street, Clarion. Private funeral services are being held. Memorials may be made to Clarion Free Library, 302 N Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214, or the Clarion Senior Center, 516 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, 638 Wood Street, Clarion. Private funeral services are being held.

Fred W. Wise Jr.

April 12, 1928 - May 19, 2012