John Allen Niswonger, 69, of Goshen, formerly of Leesburg and Mentone, passed away at 5:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born on July 16, 1950, in Vicksburg, Mich., to Raymond C. and Alma V. (Goucher) Niswonger.

John Allen Niswonger

He attended public schools in Michigan and lived most of his life in St. Joseph County, Fla., Mentone and Leesburg before moving recently to Goshen. He was married on May 28, 2006, in Fulton County to Nancy L. (Bingaman) Johnson who preceded him on Nov.r 30, 2019. He formerly worked at Holiday Rambler, of Wakarusa, and was the former owner/operator of Dad’s Bar in Wyatt and Nana’s & John’s Bar in Mentone. He was a former Son of American Legion in Osceola.

John loved life and he was always happy. He enjoyed sitting outside enjoying the warmer weather, joking around with anyone about anything. He always made you laugh and made you feel like family even if you were not. He touched our hearts and left his footprints on them. He was a strong man and didn’t let things keep him down for long. Even after the passing of his wife and all he went through, he still had a smile on his face. He fought so hard until the end. He was an amazing man and will forever be in our hearts. Heaven must have needed a hero. 

He is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth (Brian) Albert, of Goshen, Frances Rigley, of Roseland, and Chris of Texas; two sons, Jonathan Niswonger, of Marcello, Mich., and John Thompson of Osceola; two step-daughters, Pachia (Phillip) Rumble and Marcia Johnson; a step-son, Jeffery Johnson; four grandchildren, Haley, Brianne, Abbygaile, Branson, and Colt; Eight step-grandchildren, Steven, Amber, Julia, Kolin, Jessica, Tyler, Nick, and Kirsten; two great-grandchildren, Emberlee and  Nevaeh; eight step-great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Liam, Ava, Emma, Sophia, Sonny, Isaac, and Lola

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 22 years, Nancy Niswonger, and former wife of 25 years, Charlotte Niswonger.

Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. St. Rd 15, Warsaw. No services to be held at this time. Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St. Syracuse, IN is in charge of arrangements. 

Preferred memorials may be given to the John Niswonger Funeral Fund, c/o Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567.

To send condolences to the family of John Niswonger, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.