PAT NISWONGER

Thelma "Pat" Niswonger, 67, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 27, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 2, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Oscar Owen and Edith Mae Rentfro Crites. She and Chester D. Niswonger were married Jan. 15, 1952, in Piggott, Ark. He died June 7, 1994.

Niswonger was a secretary at Bethany Baptist Church 28 years, retiring in 1996. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church, its Sewing Circle and Sunshine Club of Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include five sons, Thomas Leggett of Cape Girardeau, Dan Niswonger of Cape Girardeau, the Rev. Dale Niswonger of Frankfort, Ky., Steve Niswonger of Cape Girardeau, Marty Niswonger of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Frank Crites of Carbondale, Ill., Olan "Weldon" Crites of South Haven, Miss.; a half sister, Virginia Giddings of St. Louis; and a sister, Marie Whitten of Denver, Colo..

Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Cameron Leggett, Jason Leggett, Alex Niswonger, Mindy Niswonger, Eric Niswonger, Amber Niswonger and Andrea Niswonger.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Owen Crites and Oscar Crites, and a half sister, Mildred Bierbaum.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel. The Rev. Donny Ford, the Rev. Dale Niswonger and the Rev. S.S. Borum will officiate. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Harold Ellis, Marshall Riley, Eric Niswonger, Alex Niswonger, Jason Leggett and Cameron Leggett.

Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Bethany Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.