Eldon Clare Christophel

Eldon Clare Christophel, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan, breathed his last breath on the evening of November 9, 2025, at the Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan. Born at home near Clarksville, Michigan, Eldon was the son of Harold M. and Ruth N. (Kauffman) Christophel.
Eldon was welcomed into heaven by his loving wife, Esther (Christner) Christophel, a reunion he had eagerly awaited; his parents; and two older brothers, Sanford and Robert Christophel.
Eldon is survived by his son, Kevin (Jeanette) Christophel of Reading, PA; daughter, Yvonne (Carlos) Pizarro of Battle Creek, MI; 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, David (Carol)Christophel of Zeeland, MI, Levon Christophel of Goshen, IN, Joseph (Linda) Christophel of Goshen, IN, Paul (Brenda) Christophel of Hesston, KS; and sisters-in-law, Miriam Christophel of Goshen, IN, and Lorraine Christophel of Kalamazoo, MI.
Eldon was a faithful, hardworking, generous man of integrity. He was a committed follower of Jesus and a longtime member of what is now Wattles Park Faith Fellowship in Battle Creek. Eldon and his brothers joined their father in operating Christophel Farms, a dairy farm near Battle Creek, freeing up their father's time to pastor the church. Eldon was passionate about farming. He also had a heart for feeding hungry people around the world, which inspired his partnership with Growing Hope Globally. What began as a mission to support his father's local ministry expanded into a lifelong calling to farm for global food security.
At times, Eldon wrestled with whether charitable giving through farming was "ministry enough," wondering if he should pursue more hands-on mission work. In grappling with this question during a trip to tour development projects in Kenya and Uganda later in life, he received an unmistakable internal conviction: "You go back home and you do what you know to do." And so he did.
Eldon also traveled to serve with Mennonite Disaster Service, helping to rebuild homes in the wake of natural disasters. Eldon enjoyed singing acapella-style music with his brothers and with a local gospel choir. For some years, he and Esther walked alongside the teens in their church, serving as youth leaders. Eldon enjoyed dressing up as a clown and visiting nursing homes. He had fun creating outdoor furniture and plant holders out of "farm junk." He loved to read in his favorite recliner.
The family will greet relatives and friends at a visitation on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 West Dickman Road, Battle Creek, MI. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:00 pm, with a meal following, also at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service.
Contributions in Eldon's memory can be made to Growing Hope Globally (growinghopeglobally.org).
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com.