Obituary of Wm. Christen

WESTFIELD - William G. "Chris" Christen, age 67, of Academy St., Westfield died Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA following an extended illness. "Chris" was born on August 26, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA the son of the late John and Reve (Steinbeck) Christen. A resident of Westfield most all his adult life, "Crazy Chris" as he was know by his friends, had been employed by the Norfolk and Southern Railroad as a Rail Foreman. He retired in 2001 due to a pulmonary disability. He had also been a self employed roofer. Chris was a 1960 graduate of North East high School and a Veteran of the US Air Force as an aviation mechanic. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Chris enjoyed hunting, boating, woodworking, cars and mechanics of all sorts. A recovering alcoholic of 27 years, Chris was proud of his accomplishment and mentored and sponsored many fine individuals into and through sobriety. Chris could always find the good in anyone and very rarely saw any bad. He was an eternal optimist. Chris was a loving husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife: Susan (Cornelius) Christen, whom he married on July 9, 2005, his son, Christopher (Lisa) John Christen of Kent, OH, his step-children: Kathy Weston of Fairview, PA, Robert Sheldon, Jr. of Mayville, NY, Donald Cornelius of Grand Island, NY, Shanna Fiersuk of Chambersburg, PA; his grandchildren, Jonathan and Henrik Christen of Kent, OH, his step-grandchildren, Erica and Alicia Weston of Fairview, PA, Robert, Destiny, Faith and Hope Fiersuk of Chambersburg, PA and Donovan Cornelius of Grand Island, NY. Chris is further survived by his sister, Patty Christen-Rivas of St. Petersburg, FL, his two brothers, Jeff Christen of Pensacola, FL and Jack Christen of Pittsburgh, PA, as well as his former wife, Marilyn Anderson of Kent, OH. He was preceded in death by his Brother, Jim Christen. No calling hours will be observed. Funeral Services will be private. Please join with Chris's family for an informal gathering to celebrate Chris's life on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #118 on Clinton St., Westfield between the hours of 4 PM and 6 PM. Memorials may be made to Chest Diseases of NW Pennsylvania, 3580 Peach Street Suite 103A, Erie, Pennsylvania 16508 or to the DAV, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send his family a message of sympathy.