Gilbert Michael Criswell

Gilbert Michael Criswell passed away at his home on Saturday, December 5, 2020. He was 78. Michael was born on February 17, 1942 in El Paso, Texas to Gilbert Myers Criswell and Mary Elizabeth (Brown) Criswell. He spent his childhood in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was baptized in the First Christian Church, graduated from Stillwater High School, and then from Oklahoma State University with a degree in business and a commission as an officer in the United States Army. He was stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland where he completed his obligation and served in the Reserves for many years.
His job in the insurance industry took him to various cities in Texas before he was able to come back to Stillwater and work for the Stillwater NewsPress. He enjoyed writing stories for the education pages, interviewing many people who had interesting biographies, unique experiences, and unusual hobbies. He especially enjoyed writing for the writer’s column because the stories were personal reflection.
His parents preceded him in death. He leaves behind his children, Amy Lynn Whisenhunt and Steve Criswell and wife Tammy. He also leaves grandchildren, Sean Whisenhunt, wife Alyssa, and son, Raylan, and Cheyenna Whisenhunt; two sisters, Kathleen Ann Fox and husband Frank, and Charlene Gay Kinkaid; many nieces and nephews, Megan Fox, David Fox, Jenny Ives and husband Mike, David Kinkaid and wife Kelly and their children, Ben and Chloe Kinkaid, and Krista Kinkaid Hughey and husband Eric.
Michael’s family knows that he would join us in expressing our gratitude for the compassionate and competent care given by the aides and nurses associated with Christi Walker’s Companion Services. Christi, herself, has offered invaluable comfort for all of us. She had gone the extra mile in providing all the things that create a safe and caring experience.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. A celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 1PM at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com
Memorial donations can be sent to the local humane society, Alzheimer’s research, or Leukemia-Lymphoma research in Michael’s name.