ELI NIGHTINGALE
Our beloved Husband, Daddy, Grandpa - Eli Harold Nightingale - was born June 13, 1928 at Fairview, OK to Jesse and Erma Dirks Nightingale. The Lord peacefully took him home on Jan 29, 2015 at the Childers Place Hospice Center in Amarillo, TX reaching the age of 86 years, 7 months.
He was second in a family of five children and spent his younger childhood days in Fairview, OK. At the age of 11, he lost his father, after which his mother with her young family moved to Montezuma, KS. At the age of 13 he felt the need of a Savior, gave his heart to Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on Jan 14, 1942.
On Nov 18, 1947, he was married to me, Eva Marie Eck, and we have shared the joys and sorrows of life for over 67 years. To this union were born four sons and eight daughters.
In their early years of marriage, he, together with his wife, felt the call to return to the Lord. During a revival at Montezuma, Kansas, they reconsecrated their lives to the Lord. He was faithful to these vows to the end.
On April 12, 1960, he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Min. Frank Wenger at the Cimarron, Kansas congregation; serving there until 1976, when he felt the conviction to help shepherd the new congregation at Texline. He spent a total of 29 years in this calling. The Church was very precious to him and he prayed often for her. He placed his confidence in God and the Church, never complaining or questioning God’s will.
Singing was an integral part of his life, many times he felt led to sing a solo during his sermons. Family singing was very precious and he frequently took his family to sing for others. We are thankful for the legacy of song which he left us.
Dad was a man of various occupations including farming, carpentry, and dairyman. He was a compassionate and friendly person, endearing himself to many. This gave him many opportunities to reach out to others.
The active years of life with his family and ministry were special and fulfilling to him, making many treasured memories.
He enjoyed spending his sunset years of life in Phoenix, AZ and Farwell, TX near his children and grandchildren. We will miss his affectionate humor and his passing leaves our hearts aching. It was his deepest desire that we would meet him in heaven someday.
He is survived by his loving wife, Eva; 2 sons: Darrell and wife, Eileen, Plymouth, MN; Keith and wife Veanna, Texline, TX; 6 daughters: Judy Nightingale, Chickasha, OK; Joleen and husband, Delton Koehn, Siguard, UT; Becky and husband Bob Koehn, Farwell, TX; JessCia and fiancé, Rod Davis, Glendale, AZ; Violet and husband Cyrus Koehn, Farwell, TX; Valeta and husband Steve Smith, Surprise, AZ; 28 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; 1 brother: Glen and wife Ruby of Montezuma, KS; 1 sister: Emily Giesbrecht of Rouge River, OR;
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother in law, 2 infant sons, 2 infant daughters and one grandson, Travis Nightingale.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eli Nightingale, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.