Roger A. Wiseman

Roger A. Wiseman, 88, of Athens died Monday morning, February 20, 2012 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. Born Feb. 25, 1923 in Athens, he was the son of the late Carl and Minnie Tippie Wiseman.

A 1941 graduate of Athens High School, he played quarterback of the football team at the first night game at the A.H.S. Stadium on Mill Street. He joined the National Guard during his junior and senior years of high school, assigned to Headquarters Co., 2^nd Battalion, Athens. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Submarine Service, during World War II from 1941-1947. He was stationed at New London, Conn. and Bermuda. He held the rank of 1^st Class Petty Officer and was a member of K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion.

He was employed at Nabisco Co. for 3 years, Columbia Gas of Ohio for 2 years and retiring with 33 years of service with Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. of Houston, Texas.

He was a 65 year member of the 1^st United Methodist Church, Athens where he served as church usher for 60 years. He was charter member of the Trinity Senior Sunday School and received an award from the United Methodist Women's group at the church. He was active in the Athens High School Band Boosters, Boy Scouts and 4H.

He was an active Master Mason. His Masonic memberships include: Paramuthia Lodge 25 F.&A.M. (Past Master and 50 year member) Athens Chapter 39 R.A.M. (Past High Priest), Athens Council 15 R.&S.M. (Past Illustrious Master), Athens Commandery 15 K.T. (Past Commander), Ohio Priory 18 K.Y.C.H., Athens Chapter 175 O.E.S., Aladdin Temple Shrine, Athens Co. Shrine Club, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cambridge (Past Sovereign Prince), Knight Masons of Ireland Kilwinning 62, Ohio River Valley 104 A.M.D. (Past Sovereign Master), Ohio Valley 196 York Rite College, and Layfette Conclave Red Cross of Constantine.

He served as Secretary/Recorder of the Athens York Rite Bodies and as a Board Member of the Athens Masonic Temple Co. for many years. He was District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 13^th District and served as guest Inspecting Officer of his son Tom's Royal Arch Chapter in Lebanon, Ohio.

His honors and awards in Freemasonry include: several honorary memberships in R.A.M. Chapters, Service to Community Award from Paramuthia Lodge 25 F.&A.M., Knight York Cross of Honour, Gold Honour Award and Order of Purple Cross (York Rite College), Red Branch of Eri (Allied Masonic Degrees), Distinguished Service Award from the Grand Council Royal and Select Masons of Ohio, Meritorious Service Award from the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Ohio, and 33 Mason Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

Roger is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Faulkner Wiseman; two sons and daughters in law, Rockland and Sheila Wiseman of Parkersburg, WV and Tom and Valerie Wiseman of Cincinnati; three grandchildren- Gabe Wiseman of Cincinnati, Rachel (Seth) Long of Baltimore, Maryland and Rockland Luke (Stephanie) Wiseman of San Diego, California; great grandson, Oliver James Long; a brother, Carl Wiseman of Hopewell, WV; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be conducted Friday 11:00 a.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens with Rev. Wendy Lybarger officiating. Burial will be in Alexander Cemetery, Hebbardsville. Friends may call Thursday 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Paramuthia Lodge 25 F.&A.M. will hold Masonic services at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Athens County Shrine Club, (Memo- Shriner's Hospitals/ Memorial R.A. Wiseman) P.O. Box 161, Athens, Ohio 45701.

Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.