Obituary

Funeral service for F. Wade Nightingale, 85, of Fairview, will be held at 10:30 a.m., March 28, 2013 at Church of God In Christ Mennonite in Fairview, Oklahoma with Rev. Randy Levings officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedar Cemetery. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 26 from 9 am to 9 pm and Wednesday, March 27 from 9 am to 5 pm at the funeral home.

Fredrick Wade Nightingale was born to Fred Benjamin and Lydia Eck Nightingale May 1, 1927 at home in Fairview, Oklahoma. He passed away on March 24, 2013 in the Fairview Hospital, Fairview, Oklahoma, reaching the age of 85 years.

Dad was baptized April 11, 1939 into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister Frank Haynes at Fairview, Oklahoma and was faithful to the end. In the front of his Bible he had written this question with the answer: Why was the earth created? To express God's Love. Dad noticed the Love of God through his love of nature, animals in particular. He worked hard taking care of the cows, calves, and farming. Dad was a very determined man, whatever he set out to do he did it. It was very difficult for him after his stroke not to be able to do the things he liked to do.

Dad finished eight years of school and one year of college at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas. As a young man he volunteered his time for Christian Public Service in Colorado, Rhode Island, and Kansas. After his time of service was complete, he returned home to Fairview and spent the rest of his life as a dairy farmer. He was married to me, Lena Wedel on December 21, 1952 at Fairview. We celebrated our 60th anniversary while Dad was in the hospital this past year and it was a special time with the family. He loved and appreciated his family and always accepted people of all walks of life.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Lena; one son, Chris and wife Vickie of Cleo Springs, Oklahoma and three children, Chad and Breanne, Lauren, Alexandria and Derek; two daughters, Adella and husband Randy Schmidt of Youngtown, Arizona and four children Samantha, William, Rachael, Bethany; Nola and husband David Unruh of Gentry, Arkansas and three children Michael, Rochelle, Byron; fourteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; one brother, Earnest and wife Authrene of Fairview; two sisters, Geneva Klassen of Hesston, Kansas, Agnes and husband Richard Jantz of Fairview; one sister-in-law, Inez Nightingale of Brooksville, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers, Herman and Carl; and one sister, Olive.

Condolences may be made online at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com .