Ruth E. (Burns) Wise

Ruth E. Wise, 97, of Novato, CA and formerly of Berwick, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 3, 2020 at her home.  Born in Berwick on April 11, 1923, she was a daughter to the late Nathaniel W. and Pauline S. (Ruckman) Burns.

Mrs. Wise was a graduate of Berwick High School, Class of 1942.  On May 13, 1944, Ruth married Earl V. Wise, Jr., with whom she shared 52 years of marriage.  Ruth was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Novato and had previously been a member of Bower Memorial United Methodist Church in Berwick.  Ruth was an avid reader and loved to cross-stitch, knit, and collect candlesticks and glass snails.  She also enjoyed shopping and entertaining guests.  She was devoted to her Bible study group.  First and foremost, Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to all. She was the “heart and glue” to her family that held them together through wind, rain, and fire. She Loved the Lord and wanted to be with him and her husband and family. She is now at peace, Amen.

Surviving Ruth are her children:  Louise “Lonnie” Shaffer and husband, Larry, of Mill Hall, William R. Wise and wife, Diane, of AZ, and Susan Powell and husband, James, of CA; grandchildren:  Gerard Banfill (Ann), Stephanie Johnson (Keith), Brad Wise (Yvonne), Eric Wise (Shally), Emilee Wise, Kaitlyn Powell, Dr. Rodney Shaffer (Evie), and Rus Shaffer (Sharon); great-grandchildren:  Brianna and Cole Johnson, Jesse and Amaya Wise, Laura and Mary Goldberg, and Ellen Banfill; and extended family: Dr. Fawn Shaffer (Nic), Dustin Shaffer, Shannon Shaffer, and Scott Conrad and his children.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Earl V. Wise, Jr., who passed June 21, 1996.  Also preceding her were brothers:  Robert W. Burns, Nathaniel E. “Ned” Burns, and David F. Burns; and sisters:  Anna M. Keifer, Edith Eckenrode, Esther E. Burns, Lucy S. Shade, and Mae B. Cashman.

As a result of current pandemic restrictions, Ruth’s funeral at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 15 will be private.  Bower Memorial United Methodist Church in Berwick will stream her funeral on their Facebook page.  Kathy Baughman Frey will officiate.  Interment at Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street, Berwick, will follow.  Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at National MS Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington DC 20090-1891.  The Kelchner, McMichael & Readler Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the Wise family.  Online messages of love and support can be left at www.kelchnerfuneralhome.com.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter
PO Box 289, Canton MA 02021
Tel: 1-800-344-4867