Rev. Lyle Stricklett

Rev. Lyle Stricklett, son of Louis and Elsie Stricklett, was born at Blair, Neb., June 8, 1889, where he grew to manhood. December 24, 1910, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosie A. Gilliland, also of Blair, at which time they settled in the territory near Walthill. After a period of four years, they removed to South Dakota, residing in Hutchinson County, near Parkston.

His religious awakening came at the age of eighteen years, when he received baptism in the Christian Church at Blair. A re-awakening in his spiritual life was experienced in 1925 during an evangelistic campaign conducted at Milltown, S.D., when he yielded himself fully to the Lord and became affiliated with the church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was sensed a definite call to the ministry, and in 1927, was duly licensed to preach the gospel. He served pastorates at Meadow Grove, Neb., Milltown S.D., and at the time of his death, was in his second year at Grace Church, Geneva charge.

He was a loving companion and father, and much of his interests centered in the home and its ties. This union was graced with nine children: Mrs. Merle Collins of Wagner, S.D., Agnes, Guy, Verna, Irvin, Bessie, Rollin, Margaret, and Elsie, all at home, who with the devoted wife, survive; also his mother, three brothers, and three sisters, Mrs. Bessie Bellows and Walter of Blair; Guy of Sioux Falls, S.D., Mrs. Kathryn Ludwig, Frank H. and Mrs. Cora Gilliam, also of Blair, and numerous other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.

His illness began in December when he was stricken with heart trouble. Skilled medical aid and kindly care proved of no avail in staying the hand of death. The end came peacefully at the home near Sutton, Neb., Sunday morning, May 2, 1937, at 9:45 o'clock. He was aged 47 years, 10 months and 24 days. His passing will be keenly felt by the local congregation, his friends and co-workers of Nebraska conference and the church he so faithfully served. Our loss is his gain.

Funeral services were conducted at the Grace Church, also at the Christian Church in Blair, where burial was made. Rev. F. R. Wild of Milltown, S.D. was in charge, assisted by, Rev. Bertha B. Glover of Sutton, Neb.

Obituary, The Enterprise, May 6, 1937, Blair, Nebraska

Reverend L. R. Stricklett Buried Wednesday

Reverend Lyle Raymond Stricklett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stricklett, was born in Blair, June 3rd, 1888, where he grew to manhood. On December 4th, 1910, he was married to Rosie A. Gilliland, also of Blair, and to this union, nine children were born, who are; Mrs. Merle Collins of Wagner, South Dakota; Agnes, Guy, Verna, Erwin, Bessie, Roland, Margaret, and Elsie all of the home. Other relatives, besides his wife and children who survive him, are his mother, Mrs. Elsie Stricklett of Blair; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Bellows, Mrs. Kathryn Ladwig, Mrs. John Gilliam of Blair; three brothers, Walter and Frank Stricklett of Blair, and Guy Stricklett of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. One sister and his father having preceded him in death.

He moved to Walthill and later to Parkston, South Dakota, and farmed until 1927 when he was licensed by the United Brethren Church to preach. His first pastorate was Meadow Grove, Nebraska, next at Milltown, South Dakota, and lastly at Grace Church, Geneva Mission.

He was a loving companion and father and was deeply interested in his home and his church work. His illness dates back to the Christmas season, when he was stricken with heart trouble. He passed away Sunday morning, May 2nd, 1937, at 9:45, age 47 years 10 months and 24 days.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave memorial # 53118709