Marvin William Wise was born May 26, 1943 in Modesto, CA to William and Ruth (Fisher) Wise. He peacefully went to be with Jesus at El Rio Memory Care early in the morning of March 25, 2023 at the age of 79 years.
Marvin attended Ransom Elementary in Wood Colony. He continued on to graduate high school at Modesto High in 1961. He attended Modesto Junior College, California State University at Stanislaus and then graduated from Sacramento State with a BS in Finance in 1975. During the Vietnam War he served in the National Alternate Service at Camarillo State Hospital, along with several of his friends.
On May 9th, 1970, Marvin married the love of his life, Peggy Brubaker and they walked through life together for nearly 53 years. Being the determined character that he was, Marvin informed Peggy on their second date that he was going to marry her. To this union, Marvin and Peggy were blessed with a son and a daughter. Marvin answered the call of his Savior and was baptized on August 9th, 1970. He was a member of the Old German Baptist New Conference Church.
Marvin and Peggy were privileged to travel frequently together, with special highlights being two trips to the Holy Land. Their favorite place to visit was Hawaii. Marvin enjoyed fishing and spent many hours on his boat in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta with his family and friends. He delighted in dining out and taking family and friends to new found restaurants, near and far. He found great satisfaction in secretly picking up the tab. Marvin was a Speciality Chemical Sales Rep and found fulfillment in his interactions with his customers. He made numerous lifelong friends over the course of his career. Marvin was industrious and you could often find him attired in his classic blue coveralls banging his wrench on a pipe or two.
Aside from work, it was not uncommon to spot Marvin faithfully walking or biking the canals, orchards and roads of Wood Colony. In fact, at one point he even ended up IN the canal on his bike. In the fall of 2016 he joined the Gideons International. His most fulfilling moments were passing out Bibles at the different schools in the area and also at the County Fair. Marvin loved God and faithfully read his Bible. He often engaged his friends in lively spiritual debates.
In recent years, Marvin was challenged with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. At the end of a difficult journey, we are thankful to know he is truly at rest in the arms of his Savior. He leaves to mourn his wife, Peggy and two children, Derek (Heather) Wise and Nicole (Aaron) Sauer and six grandchildren, Grant, Breanne and Brooke Wise and Andrew, Reagan, and Bennett Sauer all from Modesto, CA; his sister Myrtle (Bill) Bashor of Modesto, CA; three sisters-in-law Shirley Wray from Goshen, IN, Marjorie Brubaker from North Manchester, IN, and Connie (John) Reece from Bringhurst, IN as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother-in-law, Leroy Wray, a brother and sister-in-law Isaac and Glenna Bower and a brother-in-law Ray Brubaker.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to: Brethren Heritage School, 3549 N. Dakota Ave. Modesto, CA 95358 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 576722 Modesto, CA 95357.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 1, 4:00-7:00 pm at Old German Baptist Brethren Church – New Conference located at 6330 Covert Rd. Modesto, CA. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday April 2, 2:30 pm at Old German Baptist Brethren Church – New Conference located at 6330 Covert Rd. Modesto, CA
Burial service will follow at Wood Colony Cemetery located at 3511 N. Dakota Ave. Modesto, CA