Centenarian Feels Like She Could ‘Live Another 100 Years’
Centenarian Feels Like She Could ‘Live Another 100 Years’
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Jackie Gorski-
Centenarian Feels Like She Could ‘Live Another 100 Years’Doris Christner celebrated her 100th birthday Wednesday at Penguin Point, 2401 E. Center St., Warsaw.
She officially doesn’t turn 100 until Tuesday.
Doris was born in Pennsylvania on March 15, 1922. She is from a family of 10 children.
Daughter Sheri Krichbaum said Doris was very active in sports in high school. She was captain of the basketball team, field hockey team and softball team.
While Doris was waiting for a bus, she met the man she would marry, Raymond, who was in the Navy, said Krichbaum. She met Raymond because the bus was late, and he asked Doris to go to a dance. They started dating and got married.
The pair ended up moving to Indiana.
Raymond and Doris have two children: Wayne Christner and Krichbaum. They don’t have any grandchildren.
Doris’ first job in Indiana was at Gatke for 65 cents an hour, Krichbaum said. Doris said she sanded at Gatke.
“She has told me this many times: ‘I worked for 65 cents an hour,’” Krichbaum said.
When RR Donnelley opened up, Doris was the fifth woman hired at the company. She worked as a quality inspector. Doris worked at RR Donnelley until she retired around the age of 66, Krichbaum said.
Doris drove until she was 92. After that, she moved in with Krichbaum. Until last year, she was completely independent. She would be outside and be sweeping. Now, Krichbaum said Doris can sit back and relax.
Doris likes to read the Bible, watch sports, do crossword puzzles and play with their four cats. Krichbaum said Doris particularly likes to watch basketball, watching IU and any Pennsylvania team. She is also a Chicago Bears fan.
Doris also loves animals. That’s a big thing for her, Krichbaum said, noting Doris watches wildlife shows.
Doris also used to volunteer at Kosciusko Community Hospital and is a member of the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church.
Doris said she feels good.
“I feel like I could live another 100 years,” she said.
When asked what she attributes to living so long, she said she tries to be a “good Christian girl and maybe that paid off. I don’t know.”
Krichbaum said she reads the Bible and she’s good to people.
“She always said, ‘I eat good, I sleep good and I’m happy.’ That’s her catch phrase,” Krichbaum said.
Family friend Carol Kreis came up with the idea of having the party Wednesday. Krichbaum said Kreis contacted her about an idea she came up with. Krichbaum said Penguin Point is Doris’ favorite restaurant.
Krichbaum said those who attended Wednesday included friends, family and anyone Doris worked with at RR Donnelley’s. Krichbaum said she just posted the fact there was going to be a party for Doris on Facebook and opened it up to anyone who wanted to come between noon and 1 p.m. Wednesday.
On Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m., there will be a drive-by for the Sally Street neighborhood by Kosciusko Community Hospital, Krichbaum said. Unless there is an emergency, fire trucks and police cars will be there.
