Lowell E. Wise

Lowell E. Wise, 67 of rural Fayette County, passed away Friday, November 22, 2013 at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis surrounded by his family. Lowell was born in Connersville, May 5, 1946 , one of seven children of David A. and Christina Firsich Wise. He attended St. Gabriel School and graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1964, where he was a member of the basketball team and Future Farmers of America. During his early adult life, he was employed with the Soil & Water Conservation Service as well as a substitute mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, Lowell served his country as a member of the National Guard for six years. He was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church. On July 22, 1972, Lowell was married to Patricia (Pat) Ann Neuman, who survives. They moved to their farm in Harrison Township, at that time, and continued to farm there for all 41 years of their marriage, raising livestock and crops, but most of all, being blessed with four beautiful and talented children. Currently, he enjoyed the many students he met as a substitute teacher at the Whitewater Technical Career Center. Together with his wife, Lowell enjoyed the vacations they were able to take throughout the U. S. and Europe, having particularly special memories of Amsterdam, Holland, the SuperCrost Farm Tour in Germany, and their visits to Amish Country in Holmes County, Ohio, where “old-time” farming practices are still a way of life, and especially Pearl Harbor. For him, there was no other brand of tractor except John Deere, and he was happy to have visited both the place where the man behind the brand had his beginnings as well as JD Headquarters in Moline, IL. Lowell recounted many wonderful memories of the family vacations he had enjoyed with his children, and was so quietly proud of each one’s accomplishments. Shining moments in his life were the birth of each of his grandchildren, and being able to spend special moments with them. He also had a special fondness for his grandfather Frank, with whom he resided for many years before his marriage. Lowell was an avid fan of CHS basketball, the Indianapolis Colts, and IU basketball, and was a supporter of the Fayette Co. 4-H Program. He is proud to be a tissue, organ and eye donor through the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization. Preceding him in death were his grandparents and parents, his brother David A. “Bud” Wise, Jr., and his father-in-law, William J. Neuman. In addition to his wife Pat, survivors include his children : Amy (JP) Burwick of Richmond, Angela (Himanshu) Shah of Zionsville, Mark (Abby) Wise of Carmel, and Bill (Amy) Wise of Connersville, grandchildren Braden & Bryce Burwick, Mackenzie & Jasmine Shah, Caleb, Grant & Eden Wise, Chandler & Colton Wise and Brandon, Brooklyn and Brayson McQueen. In addition, he is survived by his mother-in law Delores Neuman of Connersville, sisters Louise (Tom) Jagielski of T. Wayne, Janet Risselman, Rose Ann (Charles) Moffett, and Debbie (Rick) Cloyd and brother Ron Wise, all of Connersville; his sisters- in-law and brothers-in-law and a host of nieces and nephews, along with his many dear friends and neighbors in the Hawkinsville community and beyond. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Stanley J. Herber officiating. The Fayette County Veterans Council will conduct military honors. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday where in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Lowell Wise Agricultural Scholarship Fund through the Fayette Co. Foundation. A private committal service will be conducted at the convenience of the family. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.