Richard Glen Wisener

Richard G. Wisener, 101, of Huntsville, died peacefully at 10:50 a.m. Tues.,, Oct. 6, 2015, surrounded by family in his home on Minnewauken Island at Indian Lake. Richard was born on May 23, 1914 to Bernard W. and Alma (Fisher) Wisener, who both preceded him in death. He married Annabell Bowsher on June 5, 1938 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moulton. Richard is now reunited in heaven with Annabell, who died on April 20, 2006. Richard is survived by his beloved daughters, Alys A. Morgan of New Paltz, New York, and Donna W. Wright, of Huntsville, nephews William (Barbara) Wisener of Carlsbad, California; Walter (Aida) R. Bowsher and Jim (Kazuko) Bowsher of Wapakoneta; and nieces Judy Resnick of San Clemente, California; Marjorie Wisener of Lima; and Linda Reasoner of Columbus. His brother Frederick Wisener and sister Ruth (Wisener) Snethkamp, both of St. Marys, preceded him death. Growing up, Richard wore knee britches, a tie and vest to school, worked in his Father Bernard and Uncle Charles’ cigar factory, loved to fish, helped local farmers with harvests and learned his Sunday School lessons. Many times in his life, he felt God’s tap on his shoulders and his responses always proved good measures of his faith and character. From the eighth grade to his senior year at Blume High School, he studied drafting, cared for Buddy and Becky, two pedigreed German Shepherds, who helped saved a young boy’s life. He cured his stuttering by putting river stones in his mouth, excelled on the high bar, rings and tumbling. In 1932, he set the state record for diving over 19 men, lying side by side. After Richard’s high school graduation during the depression, he managed the Morris 5&10 in Troy, often working 70 hours a week until 1935 when he joined Detjen’s General Store in Moulton, where he learned the floor covering trade leading to a 20-year career. In the late 1930s he ran a hardware store in Leipsic and then joined the Paul E. Spieldenner Floor Covering Company in Fremont. In 1944, he returned to Wapakoneta to manage the floor covering department at Swonguer and Schneider Furniture Company. In 1956, Richard joined Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and in 1959 he became a draftsman and architectural planner for Stinebaugh Construction Company designing new homes and remodeling projects. In 1960, he was appointed Assistant to President Walter Stinebaugh. Richard retired in 1981. Throughout the 1950s, Annabelle and Richard taught swimming and life-saving classes at Wapakoneta Swimming Pool. Among their students was a young Neil Armstrong, who earned his life-saving certificate by rescuing his “victim” Richard. Armstrong later became the first man to walk on the moon. At the start of World War II, Richard and Annabell were recruited to train soldiers for oversees combat and survival. They had 10 days to teach soldiers afraid of the water how to swim long distances with full packs on their backs plus ammunition rounds and guns. Soon after the war ended in 1945, a man knocked on the Wiseners’ door. The veteran had been assigned to the Pacific theater where his transport ship had been hit by enemy fire. He survived only because he was able to swim through burning oil to be rescued. The first stop he made after returning home was to the Wiseners to thank them for saving his life. While never serving in the military, Richard was a defense worker at Westinghouse in Lima, working on government contracts. Richard always credited his longevity first to the Almighty, then to the genes he inherited from generations past and to his wife, family and friends who he said enriched his life beyond measure. But the true secret to his long years was his joy in life. He refused to lose touch with the child within. His family and friends who love him deeply will miss him beyond measure. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 pm, Wed., Oct. 14 at Bayliff and Eley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta and one hour prior to the 1:30 p.m. funeral service at First English Lutheran Church on Thurs., Oct. 15. Graveside services will follow at Shawnee Cemetery, corner of Shawnee and Zurmehly Roads. Memorial contributions may be made to First English Lutheran Church, 107 W. Mechanic St. Wapakoneta, OH 45895.

Richard Glen Wisener

May 23, 1914 - October 6, 2015