Merle Eugene “Skip” Wise, age 77, of York, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Born at home in Weigelstown on July 6, 1949, he was the son of the late Merle Woodrow and Alene K. (Gladfelter) Wise. Merle was the loving husband of Christine A. (Shipman) Wise, and they were married on August 25, 2003. His first wife, the late Peggy A. (Steffee) Wise, preceded him in death in 2002.

Skip was a 1967 graduate of Dover High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving during the Vietnam War. He later went on to serve his country in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, retiring in 1999 as a Master Sergeant.

Skip worked as a CNC machine operator for Johnson Controls, where he retired in 2009 after 42 years of service. He attended Red Lion Bible Church and had a special relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Skip loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed traveling, including trips to Italy to visit with family. He will be remembered for the time he shared with those he loved and the many memories made together.

In addition to his wife, Christine, Skip is survived by his son, Scott E. Wise; his grandchildren, Kacie Morrison and her husband, Harry, and Zackary Z. Wise; his great-grandchildren, Axel L. Morrison and Archer M. Morrison; his stepchildren, Philip Ford and his wife, Bethany, and Rachelle L. Ford; his step-grandchildren, Damon Stayer, Eithen Ford, and Bella Ford; his step-great-grandson, Coleman Strayer; his sisters, Yvonne L. Koons and Linda A. Harrold; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at 11 a.m. (visitation 10–11 a.m.) on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Wagner-Elfner & Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 3070 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, with Pastor Dan Jessup officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Wolf’s Church Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the York County Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Skip’s memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care at www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wagner-Elfner & Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 3070 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA 17356. Condolences may be shared at www.wagner-elfner-burg.com.