Rev. Darrell Oliphant (Hartville)'s Obituary
Reverend Darrell O’Dell Oliphant, son of William Allen and Golda Mae Dodson Oliphant, was born April 8, 1922, near Manes, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, April 19, 2014, in his home, north of Hartville, at the age of ninety-two years and eleven days.
On July 25, 1942, Darrell was united in marriage to Marie Dee Moore, and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie, on February 17, 2008; an infant daughter, Dixie Marie Oliphant; siblings, Jewell Lewis, Fay Oliphant, Ruth Light, Jackie Oliphant, Glen Oliphant, and Lorraine Oliphant.
He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Oliphant, of Hartville, Missouri; grandson, Adam Stigall and wife Mindy, of Hartville, Missouri; great-grandson, Dakota Stigall; step-grandson, Kirby Curtis and wife Christy of Clinton, Missouri; step-great-grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Alexus, Kylie, and Hunter Curtis; sisters, Anna Jennings, of Orrick, Missouri, and Jeanie Light and husband Randall, of Orrick, Missouri; brothers, Kermit Oliphant and Faye, of Manes, Missouri, Don Oliphant and wife Jan, of Alvordton, Ohio, Dean Oliphant and wife Marie, of Homer, Michigan, and Gene Oliphant and wife Mandy of Bryan, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends.
Darrell spent his younger years in the Manes area and went to work on nearby farms at the age of thirteen. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of eighteen. He entered into the United States Army in 1943 and faithfully served his country during World War II. He was wounded in France and received a Purple Heart medal. He was honorably discharged and returned to the Hartville area. In 1946, Darrell and Marie built the family home where he resided throughout his life. Darrell worked tirelessly over the years milking cows, raising chickens, and had several beef cattle. From 1951 to 1955, Darrell and Marie owned and operated the Country Store on E Highway.
Darrell also served the Green Valley, Lynchburg, and Elk Creek communities as he pastured the Lynchburg Baptist Church and the Elk Creek Baptist Church. He was also a deacon at the Green Valley Baptist Church for many years. He held over eighty-nine funerals, thirty-seven weddings, and nearly one hundred revivals. Hundreds of individuals accepted Christ as their Savior under his preaching and service to God. He read the Bible from cover to cover over seventy-five times. His favorite scripture was 2 Timothy, 4:7-8. “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
He was saved and baptized on December 29, 1946, and became a devoted member of Green Valley Baptist Church. He served as the interim director of missions and the moderator and assistant moderator for the Wright-Douglas-Ozark Baptist Association. Darrell was also a member of the Elmer O. Sellers Post #45 of the American Legion in Hartville.
His grandson and great-grandson were very important to him and the time he spent with them was something he cherished.
Darrell was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, Christian neighbor and friend, and was a devoted pastor. We celebrate his long life and many accomplishments and will treasure the many wonderful memories he has created for his family and many dear friends. He will be greatly missed and will live forever in the hearts of many.
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