Wesley Niswonger Obituary

NISWONGER
WESLEY "WES" S.
NISWONGER
July 16, 1940
October 4, 2023

Wesley Niswonger, part owner of Patsy's Original candy store, died October 4, 2023, in Colorado Springs.

A Celebration Memorial service will be held Saturday, 11/11/23, at 2 pm, at FELLOWSHIP OF THE ROCKIES (1625 S. 8th Street; Colorado Springs, CO 80905), with a light reception following.

Wes was born 7/16/40 in Colorado Springs, CO to Carolyn and Howard Niswonger. He graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He married 'the girl next door', Anne Marie (Annette) on 1/25/64. After her sad passing in 2013, he met and married Cheryl Vifinkle on 2/1/15.

Wes followed in his dad's footstpes as a member of the Pikes Peak Range Riders. He also followed his parents in the candy business. Wes' candy journey began in his teens during the 1950's. He learned to make fine chocolate from local chocolate maker, Ruth Barnett; then brought that formula to PATSY'S, where the recipe carries on today. He worked along side his Mom and Dad, who bought PATSY'S CANDIES in 1956. After college graduation and marrying his beloved Annette, they continued working in the store until their deaths. He 'fine tuned' the chocolate recipe, and PATSY'S continues making a lot of their own chocolate using his recipe. Italian chocolate machine maker, Lorenzo, visitged their manufacturing plant recently and said it was some of the finest chocolate he had tasted.

Wes' love for the Lord was paramount in his life. He and Cheryl recently joined Manna Church in Colorado Springs and loved growing closer to the Lord together. Fellowship of the Rockies was their former church home, and many growing memories are there, too.

Wes enjoyed motorcycling, hobby trains, traveling and having his family close to him. He treasured family gatherings.

He is survived by Cheryl and his 3 beloved children: Howard (Si) Niswonger, Christine Farrell and Carl (Mike) Niswonger, along wsith 6 granddaughters: Georgia Niswonger, Amelia Niswonger, France Farrell, Bella Farrell, Eva Farrell and Anaiah Niswonger, along with his 2 sisters, Ann C. Pounds of Centennial, CO and Jane E. Green of Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to MANNA CHURCH COLORADO SPRINGS, FELLOWSHIP OF THE ROCKIES, SOLARIS HOSPICE or to your favorite charity.