Bruce Wisner Sr., 66

Bruce L. Wisner Sr., 66, of Walton Road, Niles, left this life for the next while surrounding by his family at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born Feb. 29, 1944 in Pontiac, Mich. to Rolland Harry and Marjorie (Bird) Davis, and was adopted at age 2 by his parents, Gerett and Dorothy (Connant) Wisner of Buchanan, where Bruce was raised and attended school.

He was employed for many years at Clark Equipment Co. and owned and operated several auto body repair shops. He also volunteered with the Pokagon Township Fire Department.

In October 1980, Bruce, was involved in an automobile accident, resulting in injuries that left him a quadriplegic. He continued an active lifestyle, completing his high school requirements in 1983 at Niles Community Schools, and he then married in the same week, June 4, 1983, to the former Julie (Farrell) Anstiss by the Rev. Paul A. Fisher at First Assembly of God, where Bruce and Julie were active in a clown ministry.

In 1985, Bruce was appointed to the City of Niles Committee for Compliance with Laws for the Handicapped. He was also a member of the Berrien County Landlord Association.

Bruce and Julie continued his interest in automobiles as members of the Olde Boys Toys Car Club, where they showed DeSotos. They were also members of the Alpha and Omega Riders Chapter 468 of the Christian Motorcyclists Association; were members of the Chapter S of the Goldwing Riders Association; and enjoyed camping at the Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. Using various vehicular assists, Bruce was able to be an active participant in all of these activities.

Bruce was a member of the Buchanan Church of the Nazarene and a member of its board.

Bruce is survived by his wife and soulmate, Julie Wisner, who provided his care “24/7 for 27 years, three months and one day.” Also surviving are his sons, Bruce L. Wisner Jr. of Washington and Donnie G. Wisner of Buchanan; daughters, Melinda (Chad) Wisner Batey of Buchanan, Teri (Doug) Anstiss Ottinger of South Bend and Tracy (Jeff) Anstiss Ralston of Niles; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Davis Compton of Morrice, Mich., Joan (Dick) Coapman of Fallbrook, Calif., Shirley Davis Cataline of Hessell, Mich., Nada (Gary) Davis Graf of Columbiaville, Mich. and Nadine (Charles) Wisner Gillette of Buchanan; brothers, Gary Wisner of Kentucky, Mark (Shirley) Denman of Belding, Mich. and Rolland Davis of Texas; many nieces and nephews; and two special cats, Babycakes and Sissypooh.

In addition to his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Wisner, and a brother-in-law, Bob Cataline.

The funeral service for Bruce L. Wisner Sr. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at Michiana Christian Embassy, Niles with the Rev. Leonard E. Bailey of Buchanan Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Committal will follow at Union Cemetery, Berrien Center, to which the family invites all of their friends with show cars and motorcycles to join in the procession.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Bruce may be made to the Buchanan Church of the Nazarene; the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s “Run for the Son;” or Hospice at Home.