Chris Colledge

BELLVILLE: The meaning of life is to find your gift, and the purpose of life is to give it away. Chris Colledge found her gift experimenting in the kitchen, advocating for animals, and doling out sage wisdom to her family and friends. She cooked like her mother and tested recipes with grand results. She always had a dog in the house, and harbored a heart for canines. Honest and strong-willed, Chris gave wonderful advice – caring and loving – to those around her.
Chris passed into the care of her Lord and Savior Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in her Bellville home. She was 73.
Born Christine Anne Colledge April 18, 1951 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to parents David J. and Miriam L. (Trott) College, she was graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1969.
She worked as a secretary with McCleery & Associates, Odell Advertising, and Wagner Hardware.
An avid gardener, she was a member of North Liberty Garden Club. She liked all manner of fiction – was a member of the Bellville Library Book Club – owned every Stephen King novel (in hardback!) and it seemed her Kindle was attached to her body. Her annual "sisters trips" were wonderful get-aways, and she looked forward to vacations at Hilton Head and cruises.
Chris spoke her mind, and pulled no punches. And though she may have been opinionated and direct, it came from a caring and generous heart.
She is survived by her husband and best friend Bruce S. Baehrens, whom she married October 18, 1998; her son James (and favorite daughter-in-law Cheryl) Pasheilich of Akron; grandchildren Brandon (Gabby) Bryan, Brittany (Gregg) Hardy, and Brooke (Nick) Manzo; great grandchildren Zoey, Ava, Harper, Savannah, and Lakelynn; siblings David (Stephanie) Colledge, Jr. of Mansfield, Mimi Bechtel of Xenia, Cathie (Ken) Kinley of Butler, Linda (Terry) Shade of Billings, Montana, and Flossie (Ron) Kodger of Bellville; brothers-in-law Scott (Angela) Baehrens, Steve (Deb) Baehrens, and Jim (Janice) Baehrens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law Charles Bechtel, a sister-in-law Carol Pierce, and her father- and mother-in-law Edward "Ned" and Betty Baehrens.
The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is serving the Colledge family. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Chris' memory are encouraged to benefit the Richland County Humane Society: https://adoptourstrays.com/support-us/
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Chris' family, share a message of support with them online at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com