Richard L. Christ
Born: October 14th, 1934
Died: May 19th, 2011
Obituary
Richard L. Christ, 76, of Burlington, died at 8:08 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Born October 14, 1934, in Burlington, he was the son of Nick Demetrius and Esther Marie Freed Christ. On August 13, 1976, he married Janet Hartman Bunte in Burlington. Mr. Christ was a Burlington High School graduate. He started as a journeyman machinist for Murray Iron Works, and later worked as a machinist and in tool and die for Champion Spark Plug for 30 years, retiring in the fall of 1991. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and Moose, Eagles, and UAW. He played in a local band, The Scrubbs, playing at area nursing homes. He enjoyed dancing, golf, movies, working on old cars, and playing softball with family. Survivors include his wife; one son, Larry Christ of Charlotte, N.C.; three daughters, Julie Tonkovitz of Waukesha, Wis., Linda Anderson and Jodi Christ, both of Mount Pleasant; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two half-brothers. Visitation will be from 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral service for Mr. Christ will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in Messiah Lutheran Church, with the Pastor Susanne Smith officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Per his wishes, cremation will be accorded following the funeral service. A memorial has been established for the American Cancer Society.