Dedicated to Reverend Myron Oyler
How do you thank a man who changed your life, your husband’s, and your two sons? A man we loved and admired for many years went through heaven’s gate on February 24. He touched so many lives and made a difference in our world.
The first time I met Myron, he extended the biggest, strongest hand I had ever felt. His laugh was as big as his six foot four frame. He was a farmer by trade but called by God to preach the gospel. He followed that call with complete dedication, sincerity, and integrity.
Myron taught me to read my Bible. He knew the scriptures so well that I would use him as my concordance. I’d phone him spontaneously and ask, “ Myron, where is the scripture on forgiveness, or baptism, or any other topic I was trying to grasp.” Amazingly, he could tell me where it was chapter and verse. He expounded on why that scripture would change my life and anyone else’s. He was a Bible scholar and his tattered Bibles revealed that it was a daily habit, not just a tool for Sunday sermons.
His sermons conveyed scriptural principles and always the love and power of faith. He taught faith with the passion of Kenneth Hagin, his favorite evangelist. Myron taught me faith. He showed me faith. He lived by faith in Jesus and His powerful name. He walked me hand in hand through believing for a miracle healing for our son, John Foster. He taught me how to believe and sow seed into the kingdom of God and expect a dynamic return being shared with others. He knew about seed from his years of farming and gardening. He understood the physical principle and how to manifest the concept spiritually. Our family trusted his insights and respected his love of the word.
He always had time to fellowship and serve his congregation. If you needed a hand at picking corn or beans, he was there. His love was chopping wood. He took our youngest son, Adam, out to his farm to teach him to chop wood. At the time, Adam was a football player, wrestler, and weight lifter. He thought he was strong until he saw how a man forty years older swing that ax with precision, and cut and stack wood with speed and accuracy. Adam came home that night exhausted exclaiming,
“ Mr. Oyler is the strongest man I’ve ever seen.” Yes, Myron was strong in body and spirit. He was one of a kind and a vintage example of the hard work ethic.
Myron’s wife, Betty Jean, was truly his helpmate. She too looked after and prayed for our children and so many more. She and he had perseverance and compassion like no other couple I have ever known. They loved the children of God and partnered in feeding, loving, and praying for them. They modeled team marriage to our children and us.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to love Myron and study under him. He taught me to love Jesus on a deeper level. He taught me the importance and impact of daily scripture meditation. He gave his heart, body, and spirit to God’s children. Now, he is with his Creator, laughing and praising Him in a new way. I am confident that Myron is learning from God’s word in the heavens as he did on earth. He was a servant of God who was faithful and obedient. I am so grateful that he was my pastor and friend. I’ll see you on the other side, Myron. I will walk with you by our Savior’s side just as we did on this earth. Thank you. Thank you for all you gave to our family. We are grateful and you will be missed.
*Funeral services will be March 5th at 10:00 a.m. at Elm Ridge Funeral Home in Muncie.
