H. Ray Niswander, 87, of Bluffton died at 6:10 p.m. Dec. 13, 2010, at the Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora.

Mr. Niswander was born Nov. 8, 1923, near Bluffton to Henry and Olivia Helms Niswander. On Aug. 28, 1948 he married Alice Oyer and she survives.

Mr. Niswander was a lifelong farmer and a tool maker at Ex-Cell-O Corp. He was a private pilot and had been a member of the Bluffton Flying Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery board and a member of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher and a Session Elder. He was a WWII Navy veteran, a graduate of Bluffton High School and attended Bluffton College.

Survivors also include a son, Ned (Debra) Niswander of Bluffton, six grandchildren, Joshua, Jenna and Julianne Niswander, Nikita, Cheynoa and Dyami Simek and a son-in-law, Jeffery Simek of Wakeman.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Simek and six brothers, Truman, Marion, Wayne, Wilbur, Hugh and Mark Niswander.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bluffton Presbyterian Church. Rev. Lew VanderNaald will officiate. Burial will be in the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton.