Howard R. Wisner Sr.

Howard Wisner the Man! Howard was the son of Robert J.T. Wisner and Marie Marshall, born on July 15,1928. Raised on the farm with his father and mother. There he learned about farming the land and raising farm animals. They had dairy cattle, hogs, and chickens. As he grew working the farm, growing crops, corn, wheat, barley, hay and straw from the grain for all of the animals. Charlie even found the receipt where Dad purchased his first piece of big equipment, a two-row corn picker. He had to pay $1,484.00 for it and the interest was a big $72.00 and had to be paid back within the year, 1951, by the way his mom and dad had to also co-sign the paperwork, because he wasn't old enough to get it on his own. Dad used this corn-picker to pick our corn on the farm and neighboring farmers corn to get it paid as soon as he could. Dad also had a hauling business. It was a 1947 Chevy 3800 flat- bed truck with removable side panels. This was to haul cattle to auction, move hay, straw or anything to make a little more money. In later years he met with Charlotte Thompson, that later on became his wife of 68 years and our Great Mom. Howard later on rented the old Hawkins Farm on Bowersox Road, just around the corner of his mom and dad's farm both in Marston. There on the Hawkins farm, they had their first of three boys, Howard, Robert and Leonard which helped on both farms. Howard had soon left the Hawkins farm and purchased a home in Howard County, where John, Teresa and Charles were born. There he had joined working the House of Correction in Jessup, MD. as security guard. Then later on joined with the Baltimore City Police Dept., was there for about 13 years, while still working the farm. While there as a policeman, where he also helps to put together the pistol team. He suggested that to make the officers to become better with their pistols, or as Dad use to say their it was your "LIFE INSURANCE". He participated as one the of the team's best shot. The one shooting match, he became the second highest and one of best shot on the team. Being in the Western District, his district took second place overall, Charlie has his Trophy home. The farm was soon changed from an everyday dairy farm to raising beef cattle. We raised the cattle, butchered them into quarters then taken to a plant in the little town of New Winsor to be fully cut up and ground and wrapped for a quick freeze then sold. We offered beef in whole, half or quarter size portions. It was at that time Howard left Howard County to move to his house at Mineral Hill Rd. with all six of their children. As Howard's mom and dad grew older, we had an addition added to his house on Mineral Hill Rd for a place for his mom and dad to live during their Golden Years. While still being a police officer, he still worked the farm raising the beef cattle, growing crops to have feed for them. Every weekend and all summer long Howard, Robert, Leonard worked at the farm keeping the weeds pulled from hay fields, growing vegetables that Howard could take to Baltimore, before reporting to the days shift on the street. As John, Teresa, and Charlie got older, they too also added in the work to gather up vegetables from our very large truck patch. We would pick corn by the giant feed sacks full. Teresa helped in the collection of eggs from the chicken houses we had on the farm. She also helped in the truck patch picking up potatoes while Granddad or dad was ploughing them out with the plough. These vegetables from our truck patch were also canned and frozen for our families for our food throughout the year. These were sold to the huckster wagons that were pulled by horses throughout the city streets. He also sold beef to families so they had fresh beef for their families. I can still remember that green 1963 Rambler station wagon, packed to the ceiling front to back with fresh vegetables and coolers of fresh cut up beef to go down town to Baltimore City. Almost every day throughout the city before Howard went to work. By the way remember the addition to the house, well, most of the bricks that were use were hauled from the city to build that addition with. No empty or one way loads for the old Rambler!!! As the years went on after John and Charlie grew older, they to also were taken to farm to join in on the farm. If Dad ever knew of some of the tomato fights, we use to have while picking corn and stuffing sacks of corn, and Charlie always wanting to cause a little something special. Like Charlie cracking John on the backside with that green corn stalk. Yes, that was funny to us all except John, but don't worry Charlie got his payback from John later on that day!! Yes, we all worked hard on that farm, but it made us all appreciate the point Dad was trying to get across to all of us. Nothing is free or comes to you without working for it!! I can remember the spring when Dad and his father were plowing the fields getting them ready for the next year's crops. Robert and sometimes Howard would take another tractor pulling a hay- wagon for us younger kids to walk behind while picking up any large rocks so they wouldn't break up any other equipment. Like the disc harrow's that would be the next piece of equipment that went to the field to get the ground ready for seed. But that was only half of the work, because to finish loading up all those the onto that hay wagon, the next job was taking them to the half mile driveway to make little rocks from the big ones. They were used to fill in the pot holes of the driveway, or the washouts in that driveway. Yea, what fun HU?? I Can remember the time when we all of us boys were there when Dad was trying to build a grain storage to help in feeding the cattle. We would grind our corn, hay and minerals to make feed for the cattle to eat. So, Dad got the idea of building this giant feed storage box that would hold the ground food for the cattle. Well, it all was going well and about 2/3 done. Dad had some Masonite sheets to line the inside of the box so the grain would slide down the shoot. Dad was nailing down that Masonite, when suddenly we heard some choice words I can't tell you about, when he hit his thumb with the hammer. Well, we all thought it was so funny that we couldn't hardly stop the laughing!! Dad came out of that box and gave us all a REAL tongue lashing it was something like," you dam boys get back up here, everything is so dam funny with you boys" !! , we laughed even harder. But after all of the laughing, we settled down and finished up the project. It worked like a charm, just like Dad planned!!! In the year 1974 or there about, Dad had got rid of the farm. He then had the interest of getting some school busses. That was between the 1972 and 1974. He had four busses, and yes Mom even got into this picture on his venter. She didn't want any part of it, but like Dad had told her, you can drive a car, why not a bus?? It's only a little bigger. Mom was pretty quick on her feet at times and came back with, I can't drive a stick shift!! Dad said no problem, I'll get you an automatic! Dad always had answers for everything. He never wanted to hear any excuses! Got Mom to driving her bus with the automatic and three more later on. So, his team of drivers was Dad, Mom, Robert and Myrna Tracey. Robert will never forget when he had to get a fuel tank for his busses. It was a 1000-gallon tank. But where was dad going to put it for the lot at the house was pretty small. Dad got another great idea, why not bury it!! He wanted it buried into the ground the only thing sticking up was the fill pipe and pump!! Robert said let's get Jimmy Nickels to dig it with his back hoe, Dad said get the shovels and pick, it won't take that long to get it dug. Needless to say, it was hand dug and about two and a half days it was all done. More fun right Robert?? Dad had got rid of the bus business back in late 1974. Mom and Dad had six children of their own, Howard, Robert, Leonard, John, Teresa, and Charlie. They also have ten grandchildren, Chris, Tommy, Jason, Chad, Jenny, Eddie, Adam, Bradley, Casey and Amanda. And let's not forget the seven Great Grand Children, Dawson, Kiley, Brody, Koa, Chevi, Ashley and Bradley. Mom and dad did have several other homes during their time together while all these things were going on. They had a cabin up in Berkley Springs, WV, sold that went to Harpers Ferry, MD, this house was the one Robert and I cut grass while mom and dad were not in Maryland to keep us once busier in our spare time that Dad was always thinking, even when he wasn’t around. After that venture, it was off to Florida!! He had sold his house on Mineral Hill Rd and purchased his house in Spring Hill FL. Dad wanted something to do with all his free time so guess what he found?? Yep, school bus driving once again. At that time Charlie had to be registered for his last two years of high school. So, while doing that he was asked about what did you do while in Maryland, he said he had several school busses and he was then asked if he’d be interested in driving a bus while now in Florida? So, yea, I'll drive and with him having buses in MD, they gave him a ten-year experience head start. He drove an additional ten more years to give him a twenty-year a retirement from Hernando County. Dad was approached by the local police dept, from Hernando Police for an evening part-time job. It was a small area township at the time they moved in down there. Much larger now. He was asked if he would be interested in working with the police department? He said maybe, but doing what? They told him “Riding the Posse” as one of the special police to guard Mayor, and special dignitaries that came to visit Spring Hill. So, you guessed it, why not! Dad worked with the police department for about six years as a guard for these special people. After that venture, Dad started at the local hospital, Likes Hospital, as a security guard. There he worked different shifts and times. He always enjoyed talking to different people and helping them find their way throughout the hospital. It was in February of 1996 when they decided to move on to Inverness, FL. They were there for only a short time. It was on June 26, 2014, that we lost Mom. Now Dad was by his self. It was then when he moves to a retirement home at Salishan, back to Spring Hill area once again. Dad had lived there from about July 2014 till about July 2021.Dad had a mild stroke. After getting out of the hospital, Charlie moved dad into his home to take care of dad on his own. Charlie had been there to run him to doctor’s appointments and checkups, getting prescriptions. Charlie took him out for daily lunches. Dad loved Cracker Barrel, and don't forget that chipped beef gravy at “The Train Station”. All of the staff was always ready to see Pappy. Or maybe just a ride up to see Tracey at Raymond James to check on his accounts and to see if any new checks had come in, that had to go to the bank with. Then around January of 2022 it had become way too much for one person to do all that had to be done to keep dad comfortable and all, now much more medical needs. This is when Charlie had really taken over very big to assist Dad with his health and all of his needs and special attention that Dad required. It was at Forrest Oaks, That Charlie had found, an assisted living center. Charlie is the only one that's in Florida who lives very close, all can be there in a moment's notice. Special Thanks goes to Charlie for all he has done. He's put his life on hold to be there every day and evening when ever Dad would call. or even if he didn’t call. Charlie has Truly Blessed us all for this help that he provided for Dad. All of his brothers and sister are so proud of his true kindness with all he's provided us with along with Dad. Charlie, does all his wash, keeps clean clothes available for him. Keeps his medications up to check. Charlie keeps us all informed with any changes or developments. Brother Howard, is now in Ocala, Florida and provides visits when he's able to travel down to see Dad. Almost forgot something. what did this man do in his spare time?? Well, he did love his WWE Wrestling in the evenings. Hulk Hogan, Rick Flare, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Under Taker, The Bush Wacker, just name a few. Let’s not forget the women wrestlers either, The Fabulous Moolah, Kathy Starr. Dad and Mom also did several cruises. I know of two to Alaska, and once to Cancun Mexico, and Cozumel. I was thinking of a song that may fit this man and cover his journey of life. The one I can think of was written by Vince Gill, “Go Rest High on That Mountain”., Your Work on Earth is Done, Go to Heaven A-Shouting, Love for the Father and the Son. I think that I have only scratched the surface of this man's life and all of his accomplishments. He has worked so hard to support his family, and taught us all the meaning of what life meant to him and to teach his children that most important lessons along the way. Life is very short and God has planned this man's life and I’m thinking that God would be very proud of one of his most important Servants. When God calls him home, they will be very proud to have him in Heaven to continue his work and eternal life. This is the celebration of Howard Wisner’s Life. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4pm on Friday, February 3, 2023 and from 10 to 11am on Saturday, February 4, 2023. A funeral service will follow at 11am on Saturday at the funeral home with interment in Springfield Cemetery, Sykesville, MD. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com

Howard R. Wisner Sr.

July 15, 1928 - January 26, 2023