Charles D. Christner Jr.

Charles D. Christner Jr. Marshall Charles D. Christner Jr., age 75, of Marshall, died surrounded by his loving family at his home on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Chuck was born on June 28, 1935 in Jackson to Charles Donald and Lois Adelia (Center) Christner. He grew up in Jackson attending Jackson schools until his family moved to Albion when Chuck was 13 years old. He attended Albion Schools and was a member of the 1953 Albion High School graduating class. He was married on July 6, 1957 to Janet Kathleen Nugent in Mt. Clemens. The couple lived in Albion for a year after their marriage then moved to Marshall where they have made their home since. He first worked as a typesetter of the Marshall Label and Tag, and the Albion Evening Recorder. He served as a police officer for the Marshall Police Department and then was a Fuller Brush representative. Chuck managed the first Admiral Gas Station in Marshall and also the Clark Gas Station here. He worked in the service department at Boshears Ford. In 1980 he went to work as a Service Writer in the service department of the former Tidey Motor Sales in Marshall and continued with the company when it became Caron's Motor Sales. Chuck retired from there in 1997. After his retirement a fellow church member recruited him to work for Felpausch Food Center in Jackson which he did until 2004. Chuck was well known for being Santa Claus in Marshall and the surrounding communities for 25 years. He loved the delight he brought to children and made himself available free of charge to everyone he could reach. His love of children, which his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the evidence and benefit of, was very evident as he brought happiness to many children in his role as Santa. Chuck had a gift to really communicate with them and they with him. He was honored by being entered into the Marshall Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds. Chuck was the Grand Marshal of the 2009 Marshall Christmas Parade. Chuck enjoyed being outside cutting and splitting wood that he would deliver free of charge to those who needed it. He liked to collect, dry and pick the nutmeats of hickory, black walnut and butternuts to give out to friends and family who enjoyed them. He was a 50 year member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he had served on the Vestry and taught Sunday School. Chuck helped organize Marshall Area Community Services and was a charter member of that organization volunteering many hours over the years. Chuck is survived by his wife, Janet; their daughters, Kathleen (Mark Gerth) Christner of Battle Creek and Keri (Scott) Koch of Marshall; his beloved grandchildren Ryan Young, Samantha (Todd) Mitchell, George Lochinski, Kathy (Doug) Albert, and Kim Lochinski, Cody, Ellie and Grace Wheeler and Nichole, Katie, and Hannah Koch, and great-grandchildren Gage Mitchell and Kenny Albert; his sisters Mary Baetz of Parma and Ruth Christner of Jackson and his brother Robert (Sue Ann) Christner of Albion; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Charles "Chris" Donald Christner III on January 28, 2010. Mr. Christner donated his body to science. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 4, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church preceded by a time to gather with family and friends at Trinity from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Mr. Christner's remains will be cremated at a later date and interred in the Trinity Memorial Garden. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Trinity Episcopal Church, 101 E. Mansion Street, Marshall,MI 49068 or MACS, 111 N. Jefferson Street, Marshall,MI 49068. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to leave a memory of Chuck, a message for the family and sign the on line guest register.