Earl "Chris" Christopher

Earl L. “Chris” Christopher age 79, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas went to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Earl was born May 16, 1935 in Fulton, Missouri the fourth child of seven born to Doyle Thomas and Lela Mae (Tomilson) Christopher. He grew up and attended school in Fulton and later Chillicothe, Missouri. While living in Chillicothe, he worked alongside his father on a dairy farm.

Earl was fifteen when he began working at the Osawatomie State Hospital in 1950. His first 30 years with the hospital were spent as a psychiatric aide. He went on to maintaining the grounds of the hospital until his retirement in 1991. In addition to his career with the hospital, he held a job at Troutman’s Furniture Store in Osawatomie and operated a Volkswagen repair shop out of his home.

On January 1, 1953 Earl married Bernice Roberta Hicks in Osawatomie, Kansas. They made their home in rural Osawatomie and became the parents of one daughter, Sharon.

Earl was a man of strong faith, patience, generosity, and grace. He enjoyed gardening, tending the land, and working on various projects around the house. He was known for his green thumb, even though he was too modest to admit it. Earl was always busy with a project no matter the season, and everything he did was done with meticulous effort and thorough attention. Loved ones describe him as a sweet man, and a good steward of all that he had. He took great pride in his family and enjoyed time spent with them.

Earl was a charter member of the Faith Baptist Church in Osawatomie. He served the church as an usher, taking up offering and counting the weekly attendance.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Frank Christopher, Floyd Christopher, and infant Charles Christopher.

He is survived by his wife Bernice of the home, daughter Sharon (Charlie) Schmidt of Paola, Kansas, granddaughters: Shannon (David) Ratley of Gardner, Kansas, Staci (Kevin) Berger of Gardner, Kansas, sisters: Doreen Mann of Scottsdale, Arizona, Helen Forbes of Branson, Missouri, Charlene Reeve of Lane, Kansas, Mary Spencer of Jasper, Arkansas, brothers: Tom Christopher of Lane, Kansas, Charles Christopher of Harrison, Arkansas, great grandchildren: Addisen Ratley, Brayden Ratley, Amelia Berger, Nathen Ratley, and Ava Berger.