Ila Niswonger

Ila L. Niswonger, 90, of Jackson passed away Monday, March 5, 2012, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

She was born Sept. 1, 1921, near Randles, daughter of John Thomas and Sara Jane Eddleman Winkler. She and Charles William Niswonger were married May 10, 1945. He passed away April 13, 1980.

Ila worked at the former J.J. Newberry Store, the former Ralph Edwards Sportswear, and a former dress factory in Cape Girardeau. She volunteered many hours at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Jackson Senior Center, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Chaffee, Mo., and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, of which she was an avid supporter.

She could actually have been considered a full-time volunteer, as she also volunteered for Bethesda Fellowship in Cape Girardeau, the United Way and Jackson Food Pantry. She was an active member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Auxiliary Post 158 in Jackson and Old Salem United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. Ila greatly enjoyed having garage sales as well as hunting for and finding bargains at them.

Loving survivors include two sons, Charles "Chuck" (Bonnie) Niswonger of Lebanon, Ohio, and Dave (Bev) Niswonger of East Peoria, Ill.; three grandchildren, Connie Farrow, Kathy Maddox and Jennifer (Pat) Monks; four great-grandchildren, Clayton Barnhill, Zachary (Katrina) Carpentier, Katlyn and Natalie Carpentier; two great-great-granddaughters, Elle Barnhill and Kennedi Carpentier; and special friend, Bob Harper of Jackson.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Roberta Ann Niswonger in 1963; a grandson, Gregory Reece; four sisters; and five brothers.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William Marshall officiating. Interment will be in Old Salem Cemetery near Millersville.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.