We are very sorry and saddened to report that Bettsville's own, Larry Nighswander, has very recently passed~ Larry has resided in Florida most recently (for some time now), was an avid professional photographer and had worked with National Geographic in that capacity...∼Larry O. Nighswander of Casselberry, Florida, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at the age of 66. He was born April 5, 1948, in Fremont, to Stewart and Wanda (Mutchler) Nighswander. Larry grew up in Bettsville, where he had his first job delivering newspapers on his bike at a very early age. He also worked at Hartsels store in Bettsville until leaving for college. He began his photography career by freelancing while still attending Bettsville High School. When attending Bowling Green State University, he worked summers taking pictures for The Fostoria Review Times. Larry worked at The Cleveland Press, The Cincinnati Post, The Columbus Dispatch and The Washington Times. At The Bonnier Corp., he was director of photography, where he also served as director of photography for Saveur Magazine, Florida Travel+ Life, Garden Design and American Photo. He also was a picture editor at National Gergraphic and assistant director of the picture editing department at National Geographic Magazine. He picture edited more than 25 published stories. He has had pictures published in more than 50 publications including Time, People, Esquire, Sports Illustrated and Life, among many other magazines. Several of his written articles have appeared in Saveur Magazine and he has published four books. He was a college photography professor and director of the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University. He had been a speaker at several national and international professional seminars. He was active in regional, national and international photographic educational programs. He also served as a consultant to several magazines and newspapers in the United States and abroad. He was a judge for several photography and design competitions including Pictures of the Year International, Society for News Design, The White House Photographers and the Scripps Howard National Journalism Award. He was Scripps Howard Designer of the Year (twice) and was awarded the Magazine Picture Editor of the Year. In 1976, several of his photography friends descended on the village of Bettsville. They made a video of the town and it's people. He never forgot where he got his start and gave back in a way the people still remember. Survivors include his two sisters, Mary Alice (Gary) Hammer of Arizona and Arlene (Michael) Messina of Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his little buddies, Scooter and Buddy. Preceding him in death were his mom, Wanda (Mutchler) Nighswander, and his dad, Stewart Nighswander. His memorial service will be 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Harvey Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would like any donations to be given to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice in his memory.