Kenneth Verl Niswender

Kenneth Verl Niswender, 79, passed away July 10, 2026. Born November 18, 1946, in Monroe, Michigan, Ken was the son of Verl Sylvester Niswender and Catherine (McKeone) Niswender. He attended Monroe High School and carried forward a steady, dependable spirit that would shape a life defined by commitment to his country, to work, to community, and above all, to family. At the end, Ken simply said he “had a good life,” and those who loved him will hold that truth close even as they miss him deeply.

    Ken served in the United States Army from July 1967 to July 1970 as a field radio repairman. He served in Korea from 1968–1969 and completed his Army career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His service was recognized with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

    Before and after his military service, Ken was never afraid of hard work. He delivered papers for the Monroe Evening News for many years and worked as an upholsterer at La-Z-Boy Chair Company prior to entering the Army. After returning home, he began a long career at the Toledo Chevrolet Powertrain Plant, where he worked from 1971 to 2005 as a quality control inspector. He also served for many years as a Union Committeeman, a role that suited his grounded sense of fairness and his willingness to stand up for others. In addition, Ken gave 15 years of service as a volunteer firefighter with the Bedford Township Fire Department, offering his time and courage in support of his neighbors and community.

    Ken met Diane when she was a 17-year-old high school senior and he was 21, they were introduced through Ken’s cousin in Diane's first hour class who often spoke of her cousin who would be coming home on leave from the Army for Chirstmas. Ken's cousin even sent Diane's senior photos to Ken who wanted to meet her as well. Ken's cousin helped set in motion a love story that began when they first met on December 20, 1967. Soon after, Ken received orders for Korea, and Diane traveled with his family to Fort Gordon to see him off. During the year he was away, they wrote to each other every day which was an enduring testament to devotion and steadfast love. They were married on September 27, 1969, and Diane spent the remaining 10 months of Ken’s Army service with him at Fort Bragg, a time they often joked was their “10 month honeymoon.”

    Their family grew with the arrival of their first daughter after Diane became pregnant 3 months into their marriage, a baby girl just as Ken had hoped, followed by a second daughter in 1975. They began their family's life after Ken's service in Monroe, Michigan, and in May 1971 purchased their first home in Temperance, Michigan, where they lived for 15 years before moving to their second home in 1986 as Ken wanted the girls to have their own bedrooms rather than two of the girls sharing a bunkbed in their three bedroom home after Ken and Diane took guardianship of Diane’s much younger sister, Shawn, and raised three girls together, all like sisters, in a busy home where love mattered more than space. Ken always felt Diane’s sister was like their own daughter, and he took deep pride in the family they built which is one shaped by togetherness, loyalty, and shared experiences. They camped, vacationed, and spent countless hours around the ballpark as Ken played softball and baseball, and they frequently joined in activities connected to the fire department where Ken volunteered.

    Sports and family were Ken’s world, and he brought a wholehearted enthusiasm to both. Growing up, Kenny played baseball from Midget League at age 10 through high school varsity, pitching with focus and determination. As an adult, he played many years of men’s softball and also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father and brother. He loved playing and watching all kinds of sports and participated in bowling and golf leagues.

    Ken was an avid University of Michigan football fan, and on game days he was the biggest cheerleader, often calling friends and family during games, sharing the excitement moment by moment. He also followed the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Red Wings with enduring loyalty. After moving to Arizona, he added the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks to his list of teams, carrying his passion for the game into the next chapter of life. Ken lived in Goodyear, Arizona, where retirement brought him closer to family and the everyday moments he treasured most.

    Ken is survived by his wife, Diane Marie Niswender; daughters Dawn Bushroe (Jody), Kendra Still (Matthew), and Shawn Pollman (Richard); brother James Niswender; grandchildren Connor Still (Madi), Brendan Bushroe, Carson Bushroe, Cameron Still, Sarah Pollman, and Kylie Pollman. He was preceded in death by his father, Verl Sylvester Niswender, and his mother, Catherine (McKeone) Niswender.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phoenix Childrens Hospital: https://phoenixchildrensfoundation.org/.