Robert Wayne Nightengale
Robert Wayne Nightengale was born on December 2, 1938 at Greensburg, to Vernon and Leah (Nichols) Nightengale on his mother’s birthday. He peacefully passed into eternity on April 23, 2017 at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas, reaching the age of 78. Following an open heart surgery 18 years ago, his physical health was never the same and his death was due to heart complications.
Early in his life, he with his parents, moved to Haskell County in western Kansas and this is where he spent his formative years. He received his education at the Colusa country school. Bob was the second in the family of four boys and one girl. These were hard times in western Kansas and money was scarce. As money was not available for anything that was not essential, his brothers remember Bob as a innovative toy maker. His father being a minister in the church, was often away from home, but their home was a happy, secure place to grow up in. When he was 17, his father passed away unexpectedly, which made a profound impact on the family.
At the age of 13, Bob heard the call of God and surrendered his life to Him. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on February 8, 1951 by Minister Orlin Wedel and he remained faithful to these vows unto the end. He was concerned about the spiritual well being of his children, grandchildren and others.
On April 19, 1959, he was joined in marriage to Jul Koehn of Sublette, Kansas. This was a double wedding together with Errol and Mae Wedel. Bob and Jul’s home was blessed with two children, Marshall and Jackie. Bob’s adventuresome spirit led them from Kansas to Wyoming, Alberta, and then Colorado for 16 years where they ran a catering business and restaurant, then back to Kansas to spend the remainder of their married life. He spent 10 years teaching in our school at Copeland, Kansas. Bob had many interests in life of which were auctioneering, logging, trucking, reading, and fishing. Throughout his years, he also expressed his artistic ability through painting and sketching.
Left to cherish precious memories are me, his wife, Jul; our children, Marshall and wife Julie of Parma, Idaho; Jackie of Middleton, Michigan, three brothers, Kenneth Nightengale and wife Ladean of Copeland, sister-in-law Geneva Nightengale of Brookesville, Mississippi; Devern Nightengale and wife Jeanette of Montezuma, one sister, Letha Loewen and husband Gene of Corning, California; seven grandchildren, Austin, Lauren, and Arianna Nightengale, Cheyenne, Dillon and wife Ranae and Madison Koehn, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, five brothers-in-law, Granville Koehn and wife Dorothy, John Koehn and wife Valetta, Andy Koehn, Dennis Koehn and wife Jolene and Emery Koehn and wife Helen; and two sisters-in-law, Juanita Ensz and Jane Nikkel and husband Ray.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon; his mother, Leah, and step-father, Claude Unruh; two brothers: infant brother Deloyd, and Willis, his parents-in-law, one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law and his son-in-law, Andy.
Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church on Thursday April 27, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery in Copeland. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Wednesday April 26, 2017 from noon to 3:30 PM, at the Bethel Home from 4:00 – 5:00 PM and at Swaim Funeral Chapel from 5:30PM to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. We as a family would like to thank Bethel home for the love and care they showed towards Bob while he was there. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
