Longwood Cemetery, Kay County, Oklahoma

Ruth Ann Sissel, age 68, long time resident of Ponca City passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 18, 2017 at her home with her loving husband and faithful dog Sparks by her side.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 5-8pm Sunday, May 21 and Monday, May 22 from 8am-8pm. The family will be present between 6-8pm to greet friends at the funeral home.

Ruth Ann requested that “A Ceremony of Praise and Worship” be held to celebrate her life and not a time of mourning. This will be at 2:00pm Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Northeast Baptist Church with Reverends David Satterfield and Otis Hudspeth officiating. Following the ceremony, she will be laid to rest at Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City. Casket bearers will be Brock Sissel, Brent Sissel, Jacob Sissel, Christopher Haub, Kelsey Haub and Aaron Messick. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ruth Ann was born July 23, 1948 to Emmett D. Sloan and Marjorie M. Davis Sloan in Hays, KS. Ruth Ann was raised in McCracken, Kansas, graduating high school from there in 1966. As a junior in high school, she attended college day at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO where she met Howard Sissel, who happened to live in a small town 45 miles from her. They hit it off quickly and immediately fell in love. Ruth Ann told her husband Howard, that God told her the instant she laid her eyes on him that he was to be her husband. This came to pass shortly after they graduated from high school on August 13, 1966 in McCracken. They met at 16, married at 17, and were completely devoted to one another the rest of their lives.

Following high school, they moved to Hays, KS while Howard pursued his Bachelor's Degree at Fort Hays State University. Upon graduating college in 1970, the U.S. Army drafted Howard and the couple was relocated to Germany. Ruth Ann thoroughly enjoyed their time abroad as she and Howard traveled Europe exploring beauty and history. In 1974, the Sissels moved to Ponca City when Howard was employed by Conoco. Ruth Ann went to work for Evans and Assoc. for eight years before she accepted employment with First Assembly of God Church as the pastor's secretary under Reverend Satterfield, whom she diligently worked for six years. Thereafter, Ruth Ann began helping at Conoco as a secretary to fill in areas where someone was absent or additional help was needed, serving in that capacity for eight years. Ruth Ann enjoyed driving around the countryside, exploring those roads less traveled. While doing so, Howard would sit shotgun taking pictures of the wildlife and scenery. When not out and about with Howard, she would find joy in exploring genealogy, or writing poetry. While Howard was the apple of her eye, Ruth Ann's greatest love was for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Singing and playing the hymns on her piano to praise God gave Ruth Ann much joy. At one time she served as the worship leader at the First Assembly of God Church in Newkirk where they attended for many years.

Survivors include her cherished husband Howard Sissel of the home, mother Marjorie Sloan of Ponca City, sisters Norma McNair of McCracken, KS, and Gail Nickels and husband Dwayne of Cherokee Village, AR, brothers in law: Dallas Sissel and wife Carol of Shawnee, KS, James Sissel and wife Doris of Pfeifer, KS, Raymond Sissel of Lefors, TX and sister in law Sharon Scruggs of Enid, OK as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Junnar Boys Home c/o Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894.

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