Myrtle Bishop Spurling-Bistline, 99, a former longtime Skagit Valley resident, passed away on March 12, 2008 in Glendora, California.
A Skagit Valley native, Myrtle was born on November 30, 1908 in Bow, Washington, one of thirteen children of Elmer & Cora Burch Bishop. She was raised on the family’s farm at Bow, and at an early age shared her family’s love of animals.
Music was also important, and the large family loved to sing around the pump organ. Neighbors enjoyed calling the family on the party line to listen to them entertain on Saturday nights.
In 1926 Myrtle married her high school sweetheart, Howard Spurling. Myrtle was a piano teacher and the church pianist for many years, and sang in a trio during the 1940’s. The music tradition was passed down to their five children, and has continued to be an important and enjoyable part of their lives, as well as those of her grand and great-grandchildren.
As a young couple Howard and Myrtle were members of the Sedro-Woolley Free Methodist Church. In 1938 Howard entered the ministry and they served four churches during his lifetime. Myrtle’s love of people, generosity, humor and flexibility suited her well as a pastor’s wife, and she will be remembered for how special she made people feel.
Following Howard’s death after 50 years of marriage, Myrtle continued to successfully pastor the Day Creek Community Church for ten years.
On February 14, 1988 she married Eugene Bistline and together they enjoyed fifteen lovely years of marriage until his death in 2003.
Near her 99th birthday, Myrtle moved to California for the winter, where she spent time with her two daughters. She had planned to return home in March, but instead went to her heavenly home.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her two husbands, Howard Spurling and Eugene Bistline; two sons, Bob and Jim Spurling; a son-in-law, Phillip Swanberg; a step-son, Gayle Bistline; all seven brothers and five sisters and many loving family and friends.
She is survived by three daughters, Donna Swanberg, Pat Lindstrom and Sherri Bode. Three daughters-in-law, Evelyn Spurling Bicksler, Margie Bistline and Marilyn Bistline; two sons-in-law, Art Lindstrom and Hank Bode and a great number of wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In memory of Myrtle’s love of children, memorials are suggested to the International Childcare Ministries, PO Box 664140, Indianapolis, IN 46266-4140. A Celebration of Myrtle’s life will be held at the Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship Church on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 1:30 PM. Friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lemley Chapel on Wednesday, March 26th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Private interment will be at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Share memories of Myrtle and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com