Lawrence J. "Wiss" Wissman, 61, New Bremen, died Dec. 1, 2014, at the Arthur G. James Cancer Center, Columbus, after a courageous fight with acute lymphoid leukemia.

He was born Aug. 17, 1953, in St. Marys to James and Mary Lee Doenges Wissman, who survive in New Bremen. On Aug. 10, 1974, he married Teresa Lampert, who also survives in New Bremen.

Other survivors are two children, Andrea (Joshua) Barr, Columbus, and Benjamin (Jessica) Wissman, New Bremen; a grandchild, Mackenzie Wissman; five siblings, Thomas (Denise) Wissman of Colorado, Dianne (Carl) Schwartz, New Bremen, Rick (Pam) Wissman of Colorado, Donna (Scott) Brinkman of Kentucky, and Sherri (Sam) Harris of Georgia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He retired as superintendent of public works for the village of New Bremen. He was an active member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer, New Bremen, where he had been an usher for many years and had served on the property commission. He was a retired/honorary member of the New Bremen Fire Department where he was certified as an arson investigator. He had served as an auxiliary member of the New Bremen Police Department and was a member of the New Bremen Emergency Squad.

He also served on the New Bremen Tree Commission, helping to distinguish the village as a designated Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. He was an avid poker/card player and enjoyed woodworking and collecting New Bremen memorabilia. He was a Reds, Buckeyes and Bengals fan.

His family and the community of New Bremen were important to him and he was always willing to help family and friends. He was a compassionate husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. He was excitedly anticipating the arrival of a second grandchild.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, New Bremen, the Rev. Thomas Mannebach officiating. Burial is at German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Monday at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen, and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at the church where the rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the church, the New Bremen Fire Foundation or New Bremen Emergency Squad.

Condolences may be left at gilberghartwigfh.com.