Obituary of Merle Edward Wise, Jr.

STOW - Merle Edward Wise, Jr., 94, passed away on February 27, 2022. Born June 21, 1927, in Orange, N.J. and raised in northern New Jersey, he was the oldest of four brothers. He left school after the sixth grade to help support his family after his parents separated, by working as a tire retreader. After proudly serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to work at the Goodyear Retread Plant in Newark, N.J. before being transferred to Philadelphia in 1953. That same year he married his wife, Ellen (MacKenzie). In 1959, Merle went to night school in Trenton, N.J. to obtain his high school diploma and advance his career, moving for Goodyear to Akron. He advanced to the position of Manager, Retread Marketing and Materials with Goodyear International Corporation, and his dedication to quality work helped advance the reputation and brand of Goodyear in the 82 overseas trips to 42 countries he visited over his 41 years of service. His work occasionally led to exotic locations - staying at the Treetop Hotel in Kenya - or dangerous moments - driving through roadblocks fleeing the fighting in the Belgian Congo. When overseas colleagues would visit Akron, he-always welcomed them to join his family for a home cooked meal. He was also a recipient of the Goodyear Spirit Award. After retiring in 1989, he traveled with Ellen to many of the countries he visited overseas. They eventually bought a second home at Park Place in Sebastian, Florida, where he became endeared to his neighbors for his ability to repair lawn sprinkler systems. A life-long avid fisherman, he was also a volunteer fireman in Levittown, Pa., a volunteer with the Boy Scouts, earning the Order of the Arrow, and in retirement, became an amateur genealogist, tracing his family's lineage in the United States to back before the Revolutionary War. The family gives special thanks to the caregivers at The Landing of Stow, Northeast Ohio Professional Home Care, and Crossroads Hospice for helping in Merle's final months. Merle is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen; brothers, Howard Wise and Stanley Wise. He is survived by children, Tom (Karen Raskow), Paul, and Leslie Christensen (Kevin). Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kelly Christensen and fiancé Kris lyre, Angela Karla and husband, Dan; brother, Bernard Wise; sister-in-law, Carol Wise; numerous nieces, nephews and close friends around the world. Cremation has taken place. A private family ceremony will take place at a later date.