David E. Wise

David E. Wise, 61, of Hellertown, formerly of Perkasie and Sellersville, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 18, 2012, in St. Luke’s Hospital — Bethlehem Campus, Fountain Hill.

Born in Lansdale, he was the son of Emory and Eleanor (Laverick) Wise, of Wyoming, Pennsylvania.

He was a 1969 graduate of Pennridge High School, where he was on the wrestling and tennis teams and worked in the Visual Aids department, providing lights and sound for school productions.

Dave was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in-country during the Vietnam War.

Since 1987, Mr. Wise had been employed as a forklift operator for Knoll, Inc., East Greenville. Prior to that, he had worked for the former Crouthamel Potato Chip Co., Quakertown; Perkasie Industries, Perkasie; and the U.S. Gauge Division of Ametek, Inc., Sellersville.

Dave participated in a bowling league and played softball for many years.

An avid amateur photographer, David had photographed the area’s Bicentennial red, white, and blue fire hydrants and exhibited his collection at the Samuel Pierce Branch, Bucks County Free Library, Perkasie. A passionate reader, he also collected book sets and first editions. He also particularly enjoyed playing golf.

Christmas had a huge significance to Dave. Every year, he purchased toys for the Toys for Tots campaign, donating to children who might not otherwise have a good holiday.

David was a devoted, generous uncle to his many nieces and nephews, annually fulfilling their Christmas wish lists.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wise is survived by his siblings: Ronald L. Wise, and his wife, Kathy, of Sellersville; Kathleen Groves, and her husband, Daryl, of Bladenboro, North Carolina; Steven Wise, and his wife, Linda, of Sellersville; and Christine Brewer, and her husband, Chip, of Lansdale; eleven nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, February 24, 2012, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 445 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960. Family and friends may call Thursday evening, February 23, at the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and at the church Friday morning from 9:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M.

Interment will be in St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Sellersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172 or at www.toysfortots.org.