Thomas E. Niswander, 71, of Bluffton died suddenly Wednesday, March 21, 2012. He was born in Bluffton on Nov. 13, 1940, to the late Hugh and Marie Reichenbach Niswander. On Oct. 22, 1961, he married Sheila M. Gibbs and she survives.

Mr. Niswander was a 1958 graduate of Cory-Rawson High School. He was an active member of New Hope United Methodist Church, Rawson, serving as a trustee and a member of the Findlay Moose 698.

He was a lifelong farmer and retired truck driver.

Also surviving are daughters Lisa Niswander of Findlay, Denise (Bruce) Arnold of Mount Cory, grandchildren Nicole (Jason) Hoffman of Mount Cory, Matthew Arnold of Findlay, great-grandson Dale Hoffman, brother James (Sheila K.) Niswander of Dayton, and two sisters, Janet (Paul) Hicks of Hudson, Fla., and Marilyn (Tom) Collins of Oxford.

A sister, JoAnn Hamilton, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Hamilton, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Rev. Mark Burden will officiate. Burial will be in Clymer Cemetery near Mt. Cory.

Visitation will be from 1-6 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.