Elbert David Overholt
Elbert David Overholt, 84, died Saturday (March 20, 2010).
He was born on Nov. 23, 1925, in Cincinnati. Childhood years
were spent in the Newton area with his parents, Clayton and Loretta Overholt,
and siblings, Al, Willis, Ellen and Elvera.
He worked as an aircraft welder before entering military
service (1944 through 1946). At Bethany Peniel College, he fell in love with
Christian education, tennis and Esther Lorraine Steele, whom he married in
1948.
After graduating from OU with his master's degree, he began
a teaching career that continued as a lifelong dedication to learning. He
studied at The University of Kansas, receiving his doctorate in 1964.
He returned to Bethany Nazarene College in 1966 to lead the
education department. He also taught in the SNU business department. After his
retirement in 1991, his service to others included continued volunteering at
Golden Bell Ranch in Colorado, serving on the founding board for the Southern
Plaza retirement community and founding the Academy for Senior Professionals,
dedicated to helping seniors meaningfully share their wisdom.
He played tennis, loved to spend time with his friends, and,
as always, took special joy in time with his family.
After losing his wife, Esther, to cancer, God blessed him
with Darlene Davis, who became his wife in 1997. His final years continued to
be spent in seeking ways to serve, to learn and teach from the stores of wisdom
God had given him.
His final battle with heart failure took him home to God on
Saturday.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene; three children, Randy,
Ed and Jan Witzke; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two
stepchildren, Verna Brown and Kenneth Davis, their four children and six
grandchildren.
A visitation was Tuesday at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home. A homegoing
service was Wednesday at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Overholt
Family Memorial Scholarship or the Academy of Senior Professionals, both at
Southern Nazarene University.
