Memorial for Gary Niswonger

Gary Niswonger, 76, former fire chief for the City of Jackson, died Friday at Delmar Gardens on the Green in Chesterfield.

He was the father of David Niswonger (Victoria Babu) of ; grandfather to Christian and Julia Niswonger of Wildwood; brother to Faye Schreiner of Jackson; and brother-in-law to John (Debbie) Clifton of Cape Girardeau and Betty (Claude) Jaco of Jackson.

In addition to his wife and parents, he also was preceded in death by three siblings:  Melvin Niswonger, Belva Jean Litzelfelner, and Larry Niswonger.

He was born August 24, 1935, in Cape Girardeau to Pink and Ella Welker Niswonger. He and Margaret Clifton were married July 3, 1954. They had been married 52 years when Margaret died Sept. 21, 2006. Gary then moved to St. Louis to be near his family.

He worked many years as a fireman for the City of Jackson, and was fire chief from 1977 to 1998.

Gary and Margaret were members of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, and longtime active members of Kimbeland Country Club. Gary was past president of the Evening Optimist Club, and a longtime member of the Elks Club, both in Jackson.

Visitation will be Monday, July 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 3, at noon, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Chris Clifton officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with graveside firemen’s honors.

Memorials may be made through contributions to the Jackson Fire Department.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking here.