Edward Marion Zickefoose

Edward Marion Zickefoose, son of S. M. and Vivian (Freed) Zickefoose, was born May 28, 1920 at Keystone, Oklahoma. He attended his first year of school at Sinnett School, and the remainder of his schooling at Keystone, graduating from Keystone High School in May 1938.

Upon graduation from high school, Edward attended Oklahoma Diesel School in Tulsa obtaining a degree in diesel engineering. He then accepted employment with the Johnson Oil Company, which later became the Kerr McGee Refinery in Cleveland. He served as a bookkeeper with the refinery for nearly eleven years. He then owned and operated a hardware store in Keystone for nearly five years in the mid to late 1950's. After selling insurance for Mutual of New York for a few years, Edward accepted employment with the Pedrick Laboratories (Vigo Dog Food) also as a bookkeeper. He worked for Pedrick for nearly seventeen years.

Edward entered into the ministry on December 31, 1939, and was ordained to full work of the ministry on August 22, 1942. He took many home study courses pertaining to Pastoral work from Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana. He was a liaison worker for thirty-six years and a member of the Council of Association for six years, retiring in 2003. He conducted 295 weddings and 423 funeral services during his years as pastor of the Keystone General Baptist Church, for forty-five years.

He was appointed to the Excise Board in Pawnee in January of 1985 and was elected chairman of the Excise Board and Equalization Board in January 2003. Additionally, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Adjustments.

Edward enjoyed very much his participation in the Rotary Club for many years in Sand Springs as well as Cleveland. He served as President for the last time in 1985 and 1986, and a few years ago was awarded their highest honor, when he was made a Paul Harris Fellow.

His work with the Cleveland Ministerial Alliance was very dear to his heart and gave him a satisfaction he found only in the Lord's work. Another treasured experience was his missionary trip to the Philippines. He believed very strongly in the command, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Edward passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2004 at the St. Johns - Sapulpa Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Willly and Carl Zickefoose; two babies, a son, Larry, and a daughter, Shirley; and his wife of fifty years, Lela.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian of the home; daughter, Beverly Bales of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sons, Gary and his wife Madelyn Zickefoose of Bristow, Oklahoma and Bruce Zickefoose of Cleveland, Oklahoma; four grandson, Brian Bales and his wife Linda, Jimmy Zickefoose and his wife Beth, Jeffory Zickefoose and Jeremy Zickefoose; four granddaughters, Amy Johnson and husband Todd, Lisa Bishop and husband Mark, Denise Newton and husband Bruce, Jill McDonald and husband, Steve; nine great grandchildren; three sisters, Dorotha Cunningham, Cleora Pace and Vivian Studebaker; a brother, Doyle Zickefoose and wife Shirley; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, a step-son and step-daughter.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, June 28, 2004 at the First Christian Church in Cleveland with Dakota Rush, Dr. Eugene Perry, Rev. Tommy Cole and Pastor Dan Edens officiating. Burial will be at the Sinnett Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Rev. Edward M. Zickefoose at www.chapman-black.com.