Wendell Hylton

Did you hear about the old cowboy that knocked on Heaven"�s Pearly Gates? Wendell Hylton arrived at the gates the morning of December 22, 2012. He was a happy soul who was at peace with life and saw it as a great adventure. He was a friend to all and loved talking to everyone, helping those he could. He never knew a day, person or situation that couldn"�t use a good joke. Wendell Hylton was born April 10, 1927 in Leota, Kansas to Grover (Dick) and Anna Hylton. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters; Molly Bales, Betty Hagles, and Kay Bown, his son David Hylton, his beloved wife Norma Hylton and second wife Joanita White Hylton. He is survived by his daughter Ruby (Diane) Haigh, his three grandchildren; David Haigh, Corrie Ellington and Bethany Haigh, and his four great granddaughters; Madison, Nina, Lilly and Arabella. All live in Homer, Alaska, except for his grandson David and family in Lawrence, Kansas. Wendell survived the Kansas dust Bowl in the 30"�s and was an adventurer, a missionary, an amateur archeologist and more. Wendell eloped with his beloved wife Norma Lee Hamilton in Leota, Kansas, June 3, 1948 and had 54 amazing years of the Hylton Family Adventures. In the 1950"�s and 60"�s he was a missionary for the American Baptist Convention, spending 5 years in Alaska at the Kodiak Baptist Mission as a house father. The next 20 years he built buildings for the American Baptist Convention on many Indian reservations in the west, the Hopi, Navajo, Piute, Crow to name a few. During the 70"�s and 80"�s he lived with his wife Norma in Denver, spending those years traveling around the world. In 1992 he moved back to Nixa, where his parents had once lived, and started land development. Like many in the area, he faced financial challenges in the recession, but he never lost his faith or sense of humor. Wendell loved his Nixa family and wants you all to know he"�s having a great time with Jesus. Can you hear them laughing? A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 5, 2013 in Aldersgate Methodist Church, 460 Aldersgate Rd. Nixa, MO at 2:00 PM. Pastors Dennis Miller of Aldersgate Methodist and Lance Ogden of Calvary Bible Church will be officiating.