Eva Marie (Eck) Nightingale

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Eva Marie (Eck) Nightingale, was born March 23, 1930 at Ulysses to Joseph and Mary (Schmidt) Eck. The Lord peacefully took her home on Oct 16, 2015 at Bethel Home in Montezuma. She reached the age of 85 years, 7 months. 

She was the fourth in a family of six children and spent her childhood days in Ringwood, Oklahoma. At the age of 11 she felt the need of a Savior, gave her heart to Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on May 27, 1941. 

On Nov 18, 1947, she was married to Eli Nightingale. They 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, she, together with her husband, felt the call to return to the Lord. During a revival at Montezuma, they reconsecrated their lives and were faithful to these vows to the end. The Church was precious to her and she supported Daddy in his ministry. 

Our mother was the hub of our home. She took a keen interest in the homemaking skills of life – gardening, canning, baking and housecleaning. She was our teacher and counselor, helping us establish our convictions for our personal lives. Through a very special experience, singing became precious to her and she not only taught us the rudiments of singing, but to be lovers of song. She taught us to be careful in our singing – often reminding us to sing “as unto the Lord”. She was instrumental in teaching us to love the Lord. As we listened to her prayers and watched her life, her example of a personal walk with the Lord provided a guiding light that we hold dear today. She lived the Biblical doctrine of giving and taking reproof, being willing to share with others as well as listen carefully when concerns were shared with her. Even in the final weeks of life, she embraced a concern shared with her and her submission to God’s way was again evident through her own testimony as well as her radiant face and sunny smile observed by many. We will miss her compassionate ways and expressions of concern for our spiritual lives. 

She enjoyed her sunset years of life in Phoenix, Arizona and Farwell, Texas near her children and grandchildren. After losing her beloved companion in January, she soon moved to Bethel Home. After a time of adjustment, she loved her time spent at Bethel Home – the nurses and residents became special to her and she deeply appreciated the care she received there. She is survived by two sons: Darrell and wife, Eileen, Plymouth, Minnesota; Keith and wife Veanna, Texline, Texas; six daughters: Judy Nightingale, Chickasha, Oklahoma; Joleen and husband, Delton Koehn, Siguard, Utah; Becky and husband Bob Koehn, Farwell, Texas; Jesscia and husband, Rod Davis, Glendale, Arizona; Violet and husband Cyrus Koehn, Farwell, Texas; Valeta and husband Steve Smith, Surprise, Arizona; 28 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; three sisters; Leona Nusz, Elizabeth Eck, Katherine Schmidt all of Montezuma; one brother-in-law: Glen and wife Ruby of Montezuma; one sister-in-law: Emily Giesbrecht of Rouge River, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, one sister, two sisters-in-law, two infant sons, two infant daughters, and one grandson. 

Funeral service will be held at Texline Mennonite Church in Texline, Texas on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Texline Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com. 

The Family would like to express their deep appreciation for the loving care our mother received at Bethel Home.