Arthur C Wise

Arthur grew up across the street from his wife, Betty in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. They were married on May 1, 1955 during a Sunday morning worship service in Greencastle. They were married 66 years. In 1957, Arthur started attending Shippensburg State University where he received a BS in Education in Mathematics. In 1960, Arthur and Betty moved their family to New Park, Pennsylvania where Arthur taught high school Mathematics and chaired the department. Arthur accepted an assignment to be a mission pastor in Tampa, Florida and relocated there in 1964. He was the pastor for 11 years and oversaw the construction of the North Tampa Mennonite Church. During this time, he found the land and helped establish Lakewood Retreat Camp in Brooksville, Florida. In 1975, they moved to Goshen, Indiana where Arthur attended Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He then worked for Mennonite Mutual Aide until 1979 when they moved to Arcadia, Florida to pastor Pine Creek Chapel for several years. During this time, he also worked part-time for a landscape company and for Choice Books. Later, they moved to Sarasota, Florida where Arthur worked for K & K Lawn Service. For the last 8 years of his career, he served as Chaplain for Sunnyside Village in Sarasota.

Arthur loved the outdoors and serving the Lord. He served as the Chairman of the Board for Lakewood Retreat Christian Camp for many years. He loved landscaping and kept his lawn immaculate with flowers blooming year around. He liked to hike in the mountains of Pennsylvania and to go fishing. He loved his wife and took care of her, especially the last 6 years after she had a stroke. His ultimate priority was serving the Lord and trying to bring others to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Jane Wise; children: Marie Stevens of Tampa, Elaine Kennell and her husband, Mark Jr, of Sarasota, Rachel Martin and her husband, Vincent, of Gastonia, North Carolina, and Sheldon Wise and his wife, Marci, of Naples, Florida; nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Dorothy Neal, and his sister-in-law, Dot Wise.

In addition to his parents, George & Catharine (Johnson) Wise, he was predeceased by siblings: Agnes Frey, Elizabeth Rheam, and Glenn Wise.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday February 5, 2022 at Sunnyside Village Chapel, 5201 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232, visitation from 1:15p.m. to 2 p.m. with the service at 2p.m.

Those who wish to remember Arthur in a special way, may make gifts in his memory to Lakewood Retreat 25458 Dan Brown Hill Road, Brooksville, FL 34602 to help continue the ministry he helped start.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Wise family.