Ray Christner, age 77, of Crete, IL passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on Tuesday February 15th after a 3 year battle with cancer.
Born in April of 1944 in Mt. Sterling, IL, he was the son of Gerald and Alta Christner. He graduated from Brown County High School and Prairie State college. In 1963 he married Lynda Davis and they shared nearly 59 years together and welcomed 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He served 6 years in the US Navy on a nuclear powered submarine then worked at National Argon Labs and Honeywell.
He was a devoted Christian and attended church all his life, most recently at Jackson Creek Fellowship Church in Monee, IL. In previous years he taught Sunday school, ran the youth group and was the commander of AWANA clubs. He also served as a trustee and deacon. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years, bowling with his wife, gardening, helping anyone who was in need, and spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
He is survived by his wife Lynda; his 2 daughters and sons in law, Debbie and Tom Martin, and Dawn and Jim Recchia; his 5 grandchildren, Ashley (Alex) Smith, Amy (Dan) Montoya, Cole, Belle, and Carson Recchia; And 4 great grandchildren, Jackson and Leia Montoya, and Jarret and Zuri Smith.
Ray was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend and will be truly missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Services will be held at Jackson Creek Fellowship Church in Monee, IL on Friday February 25th with the wake beginning and 10am and memorial service at 11am.