Dr. R. Emerson Niswander, 97, North Manchester, Ind., died at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, Ind.

He was born April 2, 1914 at Bluffton, Ohio to Noah & Kate (Stetler) Niswander. On June 8, 1941 he married Evelyn Mullett. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons; Ray Niswander Jr., Worthington, Ohio and Mark Niswander, Mahomet, Ill. Two daughters, Mrs. Clifford (Sue) Myers, Hershey, Pa. and Mrs. Phillip (Jan) Will, Romeoville, Ill. Seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His parents and two brothers are deceased. From 1941-1945 he served in the United States Army. He was a professor of biology at Manchester College from 1950-1982. Prior to teaching at Manchester College, he taught at Eden Central High School, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Dr. Niswander graduated from Bluffton High School in 1932 and from Bluffton College in 1938. He received his Master's Degree and Ph.D. from Ohio State University.

Recognized with a citation from Indiana Family Pratice Physicians for the education of medical students and he received a citation for Responsible Philanthropy from Manchester College. He was a member of the North Manchester Historical Society and was instrumental in the establishment of the Center for History, North Manchester, Ind.

He was a member of the Indiana Academy of Science and the Ohio Academy of Science. He served on the Wabash County Hospital Board and was a member of the Wabash County Economic Development Committee. He was a member of Entomology Society of America and the Sigma Zi fraternity at Ohio State University.

He was the co-owner, with his wife, of Old Orchard Antiques at North Manchester. With a recent endowment received, Manchester College dedicated the Dr. R. Emerson & Evelyn Niswander Biology Department.

He was highly regarded as a scholar and teacher and was deeply committed to his students, many of whom became teachers, scientists, lab technicinas, physicians and dentists.

He was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren. Services for Dr. Niswander will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 at 11 a.m. in Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Ind.

Pastor Kurt Borgmann and Pastor Karen Eberly will officiate. His family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester.

Memorial contributions may been made to Manchester College, 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962 or Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, IN 46962 or Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962.

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