Darryl Clayton Christensen

Darryl Clayton Christensen, 73, of St. Joseph passed away Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Grace of Douglas in Douglas, Michigan. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 Thursday, October 20, 2011 at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with Pastor Phil Bubar officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery where Military Rites will be conducted. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 7:00 until 9:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, Gideon’s International, Mission Funds at The Chapel EFC, Lakeland Hospice or Heartland Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Darryl was born April 30, 1938 to Thomas and Phyllis (Stretchberry) Christensen in Greenwood, IN. He served his country in the United States Army from 1957-1960 then attended both Lake Michigan College and Oklahoma University. On May 7, 1977 Darryl married Vicki (Brannan) Irvine in South Bend, IN. Darryl was employed by Hanson Cold Storage for 28 years and also by Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School. He was very active in his church, working with children & adult Sunday school, the high school youth group and BSF. Darryl enjoyed fishing, golfing, spending time with his grandchildren and making people laugh. He is survived by his wife Vicki of 34 years; children Todd L. Christensen (Stacy Simpson), Audrey (Todd) Lambdin, Darryl Neal (Valerie) Gray, Cynthia (Brian) McDonnell and special daughter-in-law Dianne Christensen; grandchildren Jared, Natalie and Vanessa Gray, Sean and Alex Osborn, Mackenzie and Hunter Christensen and Jo Ella and Heidi McDonnell; great-grandchild Alex Gray, Jr.; sister Sandra Pendleton; one niece and many nephews; and the wonderful caretakers at Grace of Douglas of whom the family is so appreciative. Darryl was preceded in death by two sons Adam T. Christensen in 1988 and Mark S. Matheis in 1999.