Dr. Ray N. Wise of Lebanon was called home to heaven by his Lord and Savior on Aug. 9, 2025. He was nine days from his 93rd birthday when he passed, and he was surrounded by the family he adored.
Ray was born on Aug. 18, 1932, in Cornwall and was the oldest child of the late Rev. Ray D. and Ethel I. Deemer Wise. He was a graduate of the Cornwall High School Class of 1950. In 1953, he was employed at the Cornwall Ore Mines when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country during the Korean War. After serving, he returned home and went on to graduate from Lebanon Valley College and Temple University School of Dentistry. On Jan. 1, 1962, Ray married the love of his life, Jeannette E. Nestler. Two years later, he started his private dental practice in Lebanon, which he maintained for over 54 years.
Ray was committed to his church and his family. He was a member of Kochenderfers United Methodist Church, where he served on many church committees for over 50 years while he and his wife attended faithfully. In 2025, Ray and Jeannette celebrated 63 years of marriage. God blessed them with four daughters, Connie, Judy, Holly, and Cheri. The Lord also gave them seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa.
Ray enjoyed the outdoors. He took great pride in his yard, insisting on trimming and nurturing his bushes, trees, and grass even on the hottest summer days. If you drove by his house, you might have seen him climbing a ladder, no matter how many times his family encouraged him to rest. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, too. He enjoyed many adventures with his friends and family, happily sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren. He even continued to drive his manual Jeep until a few days before he became ill. Ray was a devoted sports fan, as well. He loyally cheered for the Phillies, Hershey Bears, Eagles, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Ray was fiercely independent, and he was a jokester who loved telling embellished stories until his listeners laughed uproariously. What he loved the most, though, was the Lord and his family. In the end, he was surrounded by the family he treasured, who were deeply honored to hold his hand, pray with him, sing his favorite hymns, and recount their fondest memories as he took his last breath.
Ray left a great empty space here on earth, but he is well and whole and laughing in the presence of his savior. In the meantime, his silliest Christmas gifts will continue circulating among his family, bringing with them the memory of his sparkling blue eyes and his gleeful chuckle.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jeannette; daughters, Connie (Martin) Brossman, of Mount Gretna, Judy Hauser, of Annville, Holly (Timothy) Tobias, of Lebanon, and Cheri (Michael) Anspach, of Annville; grandchildren, Jonathan (Rebecca) Brossman, Joshua (Aimee) Brossman, Rachel (Thomas) Wolkowski, Ryan (Yashira) Hauser, Taylor Tobias, Cash Anspach, and Trenton Tobias; great-grandchildren, Haleigh and Colton Brossman and Zoe, Willow, and Axel Brossman; brothers, Donald (Claudia) Wise, of Lebanon, and Gene (Sally) Wise, of Lancaster; and sister, Grace Crass, of Robesonia.
There was a private celebration of life at North Annville Bible Church on Aug. 20, 2025. His body was laid to rest with military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA. Jonathan Brossman, Joshua Brossman, Ryan Hauser, Cash Anspach, Trenton Tobias, and Thomas Wolkowski served as pallbearers.
