Dawson and Wikoff Funeral Home

Donald Earl Wise, 92, of Decatur passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. A memorial service to celebrate and honor Don's life will be held at noon on Saturday, March 24, at Zion Chapel United Methodist Church, Boody. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. He will be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Preacher's Aid Society or to Zion Chapel. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home North Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Don was born on Jan. 30, 1926, in Champaign County, the son of Dr. Lloyd Hill and Jessie (Fletcher) Wise. He married Jennie Evans Pistorius on Dec. 28, 1954. He first earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois-Champaign, where he was a member of AKL Fraternity and the Fighting Illini Marching Band. The Rev. Wise earned a master's of divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and then began his career in the United Methodist Church. His first assignment was at the Zion Chapel United Methodist Church, Boody, where he met his wife. He then went on to serve the United Methodist Church in Arcola, Farmington, Springfield, Farmer City and Aledo. Don was proud of his association with the YMCA, Kiwanis and Rotary. Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Jennie; daughter, Deborah Sosaman of Arcola; son, Fletcher Wise and his wife Deborah Weldon of Bloomington; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Eleanor Williams and Dr. Thomas A. Wise.The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to all of the wonderful caregivers and staff at Addus Home Healthcare, Primrose Retirement Community and Hickory Point Christian Village, who assisted Don during the last few years and treated him with so much love, dignity and compassion.Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. (Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette)