Montezuma - My husband, our Father, and Grandfather, Daniel Nightingale, began his life journey on March 23, 1926, near Verden, Oklahoma. He was the 7th of 13 children born to Alfred and Ida (Unruh) Nightingale. He enjoyed being the middle child often sharing this fact at reunions or other family gatherings. Dad's early life memories were of farm life during the great depression. He remembered his Father catching a chicken or two before going to town to acquire basic needs for the family. Even though the family was large, Dad remembered always having enough to eat. Sometimes it was not what they might have preferred. He remembered a particularly lean time when they only had bread and coffee at a family meal, and lard sandwiches for school lunch.

Daniel completed eight years of education at the Sandlin School which was about a two mile walk from the family home. Many precious memories and friendships were formed during this time. Dad's education was basic but served him well, as he was able to understand any new concept that life brought to him. He enjoyed the softball games that were played at recess during his school days.

Shortly before Daniel's 16th birthday on February 1, 1942, upon the confession of his faith, he was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Minister Ervin Harms. Sadie was baptized in the same service, which was a special memory. Serving the Lord and attending church services were important to him throughout his entire life. As a family, we remember missing very few church services, if any! Dad was used as a song leader for a number of years and we remember sitting with him on the front pew at church.

Dad married his childhood sweetheart, Sadie Jantz on December 25, 1948. They shared a little over 71 years of married life together. They first welcomed two daughters into their family followed by two sons.

Daniel was a farmer and dairyman most of his working life. He enjoyed grain farming and raising Alfalfa hay. Dad began farming a piece of land in the spring of 1949 and continued to farm the same land his entire farming life. In later years, Dad and Mom moved to the farm that Mom grew up on. These were special years for him. He enjoyed having a small herd of beef cows. He would check on the herd daily. Dad and Mom also enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family that lived in other states. Some of the locations they were privileged to travel to include Nova Scotia, British Columbia and the Philippines.

As Dad came to a full age, health problems began to hinder his enjoyment of life. There were a number of times we wondered if he was going to leave for the other side, but he would always rally and continue on. Life became more difficult at home and our parents moved to Corn Heritage Village, Corn, Oklahoma, in 2016. In January of 2020, they were able to move to Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas. It was here that Dad was lovingly cared for in a calm, quiet, peaceful setting. We as a family are thankful to each one that gave of themselves to make our Father's last days special.  On the evening of May 22, 2020, shortly before the sun set in the western sky, Dad ceased to breathe, and his spirit went to be with his maker.

Daniel is survived by; his wife Sadie, Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas, two daughters Donna and husband Mark Esau, Riceville, Iowa. Anita and husband Steve Unruh, Verden, Oklahoma, two sons Warren and wife Cindy Venice, Florida and Sherwin and wife Rhoda Chickasha, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren; two brothers, Frank and  wife Arvilla, Moundridge, Kansas and John and wife Marianne Montezuma, Kansas. Dad was predeceased by his parents, four sisters, six brothers, and one grandson.

Funeral service will be held at Plainview Mennonite Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Plainview Mennonite Cemetery, Chickasha. Visitation will be prior to the funeral service. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of Swaim Funeral Chapel-PO Box 421-Montezuma, KS 67867. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.