Edd Elmer Fishel

Edd E. Fishel, Abilene businessman, mentor, and benefactor died Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Services, with Wally Bullington and Charles Pattillo officiating, will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2008 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park with Bill Hood officiating at the graveside. Viewing of Mr. Fishel will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, and12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3, at the funeral home. Son of RK & Belle Z.Wood Fishel, Edd was born in Winters, Texas May 31, 1918. He graduated from Winters High School, being neither absent nor tardy for five years. After graduating from high school, he attended Draughons Business College for two years. Edd worked for Heidenheimers for five years in Winters and in Anson. In 1936, Edd moved from Winters to Abilene. He served in the U.S. Airforce at Goodfellow Field-San Angelo as payroll clerk. He was a Sergeant at the time of his discharge. Edd married Delona Ellenburg June 7, 1945 in Abilene, Texas. She preceded him in death March 24, 1997. He worked for Thornton's Department Store for 8 ½ years, in the shoe department, and later became the credit manager. He established Fishel Clothiers in 1954. Delona, his wife, moved her shop in with his store and they served the citizens of Abilene for 28 years. After selling their store, they retired to Lake Coleman, and later established another home in Lamkin, Texas. When Delona died in 1997, Edd left his log cabin retreat to reside at Sears Heritage Place. In 2000, he moved to Brownwood to be closer to his adopted family. Don Newbury, past president of Howard Payne University, once said, "Edd always had his pocket book open, helping college students at Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, and Howard Payne University". Edd's motto was "Nothing becomes of value until it has been given away". His mother, father, one brother, and three sisters preceded him in death. Edd is survived by his adopted family, Charles and Jeannette Pattillo, of Brownwood; his second cousins, Rheba Sloan, of Huntsville, Arkansas, Iva Joyce Tate, of Lubbock, and Denna Miller, also of Lubbock; one sister-in-law, Frankie Ellenburg, of Hamilton, Texas; one great nephew, Rusty Fishel; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of young people he had helped through the years. Edd requested donations be made in memory of Edd and Delona Fishel to: Hardin-Simmons Six White Horses, Office of Development, Box 16100, Abilene, Texas, 79698; or Christian Homes of Abilene, 1202 Estates Drive, Abilene, Texas 79602; or Howard Payne Scholarship Fund, 1000 Fisk Street, Brownwood, Texas 79801.