Kenneth Henry Wise

Kenneth Henry Wise, age 88, of Burbank, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 31, 2025 under the care of Hospice, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, dedication, and quiet strength.

Born on November 13, 1936 to Luther and Maggie (Kurth) Wise, Kenny grew up in Congress, OH where he attended Northwestern High School and was a standout baseball player under the guidance of Coach Roy Bates,  In 1961, Kenny earned his degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University and began a lifelong career in farming and dairy, nurturing both the land and the community around him.  He retired from the Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center in 2004 after 36 years of faithful service, having worked in the Krauss Dairy Barn facility.  In the early 1980’s, Kenny found another calling: coaching track and field with a focus on hurdle events. He coached a total of 39 years having coached at Norwayne, Smithville, Orrville and Northwestern Schools.   His calm wisdom and patient instruction helped many young athletes reach the Ohio state track meet. In his career, he coached 7 second place finishers at the state level.

Kenny was easygoing, easy to talk to and always quick with a smile.  A devoted fan of his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals, he enjoyed many Saturdays and Sundays filled with football, laughter, and camaraderie.  He found joy in the game of golf and will now be reunited with his cherished foursome of Rich Allen, Terry O’Hare and Tim Keith.  Kenny was a member of the West Salem Masonic Lodge #398 F.&A.M.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Nancy (Noletti) who he shared the past 46 years with; his children, Cindy (Roland) Peters, Charlotte Vollmer, Melanie (Roger) Stone, Scott (Carol) Wise and Brad (Julie) Oliver; son-in-law, Ben Vail; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Hazel Willett and a wide circle of Wise relatives who carry his memory forward.  Kenny was preceded in death by daughters, Jennifer Oliver McCarthy and Angela  Oliver Vail; his granddaughters, Amber Ramey and Natalie Vail and 10 brothers and sisters, John, Fred, Elsie, Gertrude, Roy, James, Charles, George, Frank and Ross.

A celebration of Kenny’s life will be Saturday, Oct, 18th from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at FHJ Events Center, 10426 W. Smithville-Western Rd, Wooster, OH.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691. Murray Funeral Home in Creston is handling arrangements.