Funeral Services for Roy Dean Nightingale, age 65,of Fairview, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at the Church of God In Christ Mennonite of Fairview. Burial will follow in the Cedar Cemetery east of Fairview. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Roy Dean Nightingale was born to Richard C. and Martha Jantz Nightingale on August 10, 1948 being their firstborn son. He peacefully passed away on May 5, 2014 at his home in Fairview, Ok. Death was a result of numerous medical problems.

He was converted and baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on January 22, 1961, by Minister George Nichols. He always loved the Lord and the church unto the end. He carried no fear of death or meeting the Lord.

Roy Dean fell in love with me, Kathy Becker, and we were married on September 5, 1975 by Minister Lester Koehn at Moundridge, KS. This union was blessed with three children, two boys and one girl. We enjoyed 38 wonderful years of married life.

He grew up on a farm east of Fairview and then moved with his parents 10 miles west of town. He attended Dane rural school for three years until it was consolidated with Fairview. After graduation he worked in construction for T.H. Rogers Lumber Yard and Ruben Nichols before starting his own business laying tile. He continued this occupation for 30 years, until he retired due to his health.

He enjoyed raising cattle, bottle feeding calves, farming, and gardening. He inherited his love of growing watermelons from his Grandpa Jantz. He also enjoyed taking his children fishing at Canton Lake. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed having them around him. After we moved to town in 2006, he loved to watch the birds and enjoyed watching the flowers bloom, especially the roses. Some of his greater fulfillments in life were serving on the school board, Bible School, and tract distribution. He enjoyed going on tract routes with friends until shortly before his death.

The many medical adversities he suffered and his acceptance of them have left a clear testimony and witness in the church and the community. His openings and testimonies were an inspiration to the congregation. In all of his blessings and afflictions we were always impressed with his thankfulness and many expressions of appreciation to the Lord, for how he had worked in his life. This won him many friends and was a tremendous testimony of his Christian Faith.

Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Kathy; his children: Charles and wife Molly of Madrid, NE; James and wife Debra of Hinton OK.: and Bonnie of Fairview, OK.; grandchildren: Cassandra, Leah, Trey, and Carl; brother and sisters: Evelyn and husband, Jerald Koehn, Fairview, OK; Loyd and wife, Janet; and Ruth, Montezuma, KS; one aunt, Elsie and husband Claude Koehn of Ringwood, OK; several nieces, nephews, and cousins: and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister, Diana Lee.

Memorials may be made to the Gospel Tract Society with Fairview Funeral Home, Inc., acting as custodian.

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