Earl Dean Wise

Earl Dean Wise, of Pangburn, Arkansas, died Monday, February 27, 2012, after a lengthy illness. He was 83 years old. Mr. Wise was born February 18, 1929, the second child of Earl Kinsey Wise and Jessie Nora (Myers) Wise. Except for a three year period in the early 1950's, Mr. Wise lived his entire life on the farm where he was born.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wise was preceded in death by his sister, Jessie Mildred (Wise) Knight.

He is survived by his wife, Angelee (Baker) Wise; two sons, Michael Dean Wise of Chicago, Illinois, and Gregory Lee Wise of Conway; one grandson, Sean Christopher Krider of El Dorado Hills, California; one granddaughter, Teri Ann (Wise) Middleton of Conway; one step-grandson, Brent Russenberger of Richardson, Texas; and seven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Wise held many jobs over a 50 year period, including farmer, delivery man, factory line worker, shipping/receiving clerk, carpenter, and cabinetmaker; eventually retiring from Safeway Foods as a member of their maintenance staff. A staunch believer in the rights of workers to form unions, Mr. Wise served for twenty years as a Steward for Teamsters Local 878. His good nature and sense of decency endeared him to those who knew him. Those who worked closely with him admired and respected his common sense, his commitment to fairness, and his skills as a negotiator. His infectious smile, broad laugh, and easy wit brightened the lives of friends and strangers alike. He will be greatly missed.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, March 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 2 in the Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Joe Brumfield officiating. Interment will follow at Henderson Cemetery in Pangburn.