Martin Lynn Shackleton reached his goal of going to heaven on Thursday, September 22, 2016. He passed away peacefully in his sleep and in his home. He was 68 years old. He was born to Frederick G. and Doris (Martin) Shackleton in Shelbyville, Indiana on December 22, 1947. His family moved to Southern California when he was 6 years old. He graduated from Arlington College where he met the love of his life, Jean Helbling, and they were married on July 11, 1969. He went on to get his masters degree in music education from Azusa Pacific University. He and Jean served as music ministers in various churches and also had a family ministry with their 3 children: Aaron, Jeana Early, and Joann Fozard. The Shackleton family moved to OKC in 1991 where Martin and Jean joined the faculty at Mid-America Bible College (now MACU) as the chairman of the music department. They worked as a team planning and going on choir tours throughout the United States. He went back into church ministry as the music minister at Shartel Church of God in 2000. Besides his love of music, Martin loved to golf and play racquetball, basketball and baseball. He was known for his fast pitch. He loved spending time with his family and singing together. He could be found reading his Bible every morning and looking for opportunities to share Christ’s love with others. He always kept a positive attitude despite his circumstances and was an encouragement to others to the end of his life. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean (Helbling) Shackleton; mjshackle@aol.com, 12117 Wentworth Place, OKC, OK 73170; His three children: Aaron (Julie) Shackleton, ashackleton73@gmail.com, 1136 SW 130th St. OKC, OK 73170; Jeana (Darrin) Early, jeanaearly@yahoo.com, 12117 Wentworth Place, OKC, OK 73170, and Joann (Jonathan) Fozard, 4701 SW 124th Place, OKC, OK 73173, joannfozard@gmail.com. His two sisters: Fredda Koupal , freddaspeak@yahoo.com, 24036 Whisting Swan, Murietta, California 92562, and Linda (Mark) Wallace; 24960 Greenhouse Cr, Wildomar, California 92595, lindaleewallace@gmail.com and 8 grandchildren: Andrew, Ann Marie, Emily Shackleton, Aurian, Brooklyn, Falyn Early, Jacob and Joshua Fozard. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mid America Christian University for the Music Department, or the Parkinsons Foundation of Oklahoma. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 AM, October 1, 2016 at Shartel Church of God, 11600 S. Western, OKC 73170.

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