Fred Nighswander passed from his home at Barwick, ON to his heavenly reward on December 23, 2012 at the age of 100 years, 2 months and 11 days. He was born on October 12, 1912, in the village of Altona, Pickering Township, ON, to the late David and Nancy (Lehman) Nighswander. At the age of 17, he gave his heart to the Lord and chose membership with the Mennonite Church. On March 12, 1935, he was united in marriage to Ada Reesor, and they served the Lord together for 63 years. They were blessed with one son and five daughters. From 1935 to 1964, they farmed at the Nighswander home place. In 1937, Fred was ordained as a minister of the Gospel. He pastored the Altona congregation for 27 years, and often preached in outlying congregations as well. During and after World War II, he was active in helping young men be loyal to the Bible teaching of nonresistance, and also served on a committee that collected relief for refugees. In 1965 he and Ada answered the call to share the Gospel at Rainy River First Nations. He had a deep love for the native people of this district, and gave all his energies for their good as long as he was able. Even in the last several years after his mind and physical vision were not clear anymore, the intensity of his spiritual vision seemed more uninhibited than ever as he spent hours on his rocking chair earnestly singing familiar hymns, "preaching," and praying aloud for his neighbours, for his family and church family, especially the young people. At the time of his death he was a member of the Pineview Mennonite Church, Barwick, ON. He is lovingly remembered by daughters Eva Reesor of Pickering, ON; Ruth (Mrs. Paul Meyer) of Listowel, ON; Esther of St. Catherines, ON; Anna Mary (Mrs. Roy Huber) of Itasca, Texas; and Martha of Barwick, ON; daughter-in-law Arlene Nighswander of Barwick; Maggie and her family whom he accepted as part of his own family; 24 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren. He is survived by one sister, Mary Barkey and one sister-in-law, Elsie Nighswander. He was predeceased by his wife, Ada; his son, Enos; two sons-in-law, John Reesor and Norman Smith; his brother, Joseph; brother-in-law, Wilbur Barkey; infant sister, Florence and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Northridge Funeral Home, Emo, Ont Thursday, December 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Barwick Community Hall Friday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m., with interment in the cemetery at Manitou Rapids Church on the Hill. The family wishes to thank any who have shared in any way during this time of bereavement. We pray a special blessing on those who have willingly and faithfully assisted with our father and grandfather's care for the last few years. We rejoice in the confidence that the handicaps of old age are now removed and he has joined the heavenly chorus singing praises before the throne of God and of Jesus Christ our Saviour.