Elbert P. Wipf age 97 passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Claremore, Oklahoma Veteran’s Center. Elbert was born on Tuesday, April 5, 1927, in Carpenter, South Dakota, the eldest of five sons born to Paul and Susie (Decker) Wipf. Elbert attended Livewire Elementary School near Carpenter, South Dakota and Hitchcock High School in Hitchcock, South Dakota.
Elbert, a WWII veteran, was inducted into the U.S. Army on January 3, 1946. He completed basic training at Camp Crowder Missouri and medical training at Brookes Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. After completing medical training, he was assigned to the 179th Station Hospital, Adak, Aleutian Islands, Alaska and subsequently assigned as supply clerk for the Mess Hall. He was honorably discharged on May 29, 1947.
On May 9, 1948, Elbert married Emma Adina Decker. Four children were born into this union. At age 21, Elbert received Jesus Christ as his Savior and received the promise of eternal life with God. In September 1952, after farming for a short time in South Dakota, he and family moved to Omaha, Nebraska for Elbert to attend Grace Bible Institute. Elbert also attended classes at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Elbert graduated from Grace Bible Institute in May 1957 with a BA degree in Missions and a Minor in Christian Education. On August 25, 1957 he was ordained for the ministry at Hutterthal Mennonite Church (now Prairie Bible Church) in Carpenter, South Dakota.
In 1957 Elbert and family moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he worked for Go Ye Missions in church planting, youth ministry in eastern Oklahoma high schools, and as Chaplain at Markoma Bible Academy.
In 1967 Elbert and family moved back to Nebraska where he was employed as a field representative for Nebraska Christian High School in Central City, Nebraska. Following two years in Nebraska, Elbert and family moved to Chicago where he served as Departmental Supervisor with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), a foreign mission agency.
After leaving TEAM, Elbert managed motels in North and South Dakota before moving back to Oklahoma where he studied to be a machinist at Okmulgee Tech OSU. Later Elbert worked as a prison chaplain for Prison Discipleship, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma and started Galatians 5:1 Prison Correspondence Ministry also based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Elbert devoted most of his life serving God. He believed that people should read for themselves and make up their own minds and know the Bible well enough to know if a minister was telling the truth.
On August 6, 1996 after 48 years of marriage, Elbert’s beloved wife, Emma passed away. On January 2, 1999, Elbert married Margaret Mary (Robinson) Searcy.
Elbert was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Susie (Decker) Wipf; first wife, Emma Adina (Decker) Wipf; second wife, Margaret Mary (Searcy) Wipf; daughter-in-law LaDonna Jean Wipf; sister-in-law Phyllis Wipf; and brother Wesley Wipf.
He is survived by four children: Deborah A. Wipf, (Retired USAF Lt. Col.) Owasso, OK; Donald L. (Joann) Wipf, Collinsville, OK; Randal R. Wipf, Sand Springs, OK; and Timothy A. Wipf, Collinsville, OK; step sons: David (Teresa) Searcy, Ontario, Ohio, and Daniel (Michelle) Searcy, Bixby, OK; granddaughter Deborah Nicole (David, Lt. Col. US Army) Ike, Savannah, Georgia; two great grandchildren Emma and Isaiah Ike; and several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Elbert is also survived by three brothers: Willard Wipf; Willis (Shirley) Wipf; and Erwin Wipf all of Huron, South Dakota; sister-in-law Rowena Wipf Doland, South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 18th at Mowery Funeral Service, 9110 N Garnett Rd. Owasso, OK 74055. Family will be present from 6:00-8:00.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19th at Mowery Funeral Service.
Burial will be at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Owasso, OK.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Claremore Veteran’s Center, P.O. Box 988, Claremore, OK 74018. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
Elbert P. Wipf April 5, 1927 – June 13, 2024
