| Notes |
- Obit:
Lyle Birkey, age 89, entered into the presence of his savior Jesus Christ on Friday, March 4, 2016.
Lyle was born in Fisher, Illinois on February 5, 1927, the second child of Joel L. and Mabel E. Birkey. Lyle spent most of his early life in Central Illinois with his farming family. He worked on the farm through his high-school years and enjoyed the companionship of his siblings Fae, Verna and Robert. It was during these years that he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. In 1951, Lyle was married to Clara Bruehl and soon was called into the Army. His military service included an overseas deployment in the Korean war, after which he received a United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Meritorious Unit Citation and a Commendation Ribbon with a Medal Pendant.
Growing in his passion to serve the Lord, Lyle studied for the ministry at Columbia Bible College where he graduated with a seminary degree. Lyle and Clara planted a church first in Garden Valley, California and later started the Lake Tapps Community Church in Sumner Washington where they served for 29 years .Mission work was high on their list and they and their congregations have supported and walked in communities in the United States, Europe and the Dominican republic. He and Clara retired in Dallas Oregon in 1997 where they helped to open doors for the gospel to be given out in the Grace Community Church.
Lyle and Clara are the parents of four wonderful children: Timothy, Juliea, Daniel and Andy. Now there are eight grandchildren and one great grandchild is on the way.
After the passing of Clara, Lyle was married to Carol Goodsell in 2003. The couple enjoyed several foreign mission trips together and lived in Dallas, Oregon. They moved back to the Sumner area in 2013 where they again enjoyed the fellowship of their much-loved friends at Lake Tapps Community Church. As Lyle’s health declined, Carol diligently and joyfully served Lyle in their home. Dear friends from the church and community were a great help and encouragement to both Lyle and Carol.
Lyle is survived by his extended family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.
Viewing will be from 4:00 to 8:00pm Thursday, March 10th with the funeral beginning at 10:00am Friday, March 11th both in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Interment will be in the Salt Creek Cemetery in Dallas.
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1927 - 2016 (89 years)
