Rusby Niswonger

Rusby D. Niswonger, 95, of Jackson passed away Monday, March 21, 2016, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

One of five children, he was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Millersville to Cornelius and Myrtle Hartle Niswonger.

He and Mary "Ilene" Welker were married Feb. 15, 1941, in Millersville. They had been married nearly 74 years when Ilene passed away Dec. 25, 2014.

Rusby worked many years at West Lake Quarry, retiring in 1983.

From 1995 to 2005, he was a summer employee for the city of Jackson park department.

Rusby attended First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau. He was a former worshipful master of Westview Masonic Lodge 103 in Millersville, where he was a member for over 40 years, serving 30 years as lodge secretary. He was also a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson for over 50 years and a member of the honor guard.

Loving survivors include a son, Paul (Beverly) Niswonger of Jackson; a daughter, Mary Joyce Holtzclaw of East Cape Girardeau, Illinois; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William "Bill" Niswonger; a son-in-law, Charles Holtzclaw; a granddaughter; a great-granddaughter; two brothers; a sister; and an infant sister.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. There will be a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Darrell Faire officiating. The committal service will be at noon Friday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Niswonger Cemetery Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.