NAPPANEE - W. Dale Christner, 92, of Nappanee, died at 10:20 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009, in Elkhart General Hospital, after a short illness.
He was born Dec. 11, 1916, in Elkhart County, to Orange Eugene and Leona Wagner Christner. On July 13, 1940, he married Cathern "Katie" Slabaugh, who survives in Nappanee.
He was a lifetime area resident, and graduated from Nappanee High School. He retired from Christner Oil Co. He was an Army World War II veteran. He was a mason, and a member of Kiwanis, First Presbyterian Church and American Legion Post 154, all of Nappanee. He was a former Wa-Nee school board member.
Also surviving are a son, John (and spouse Judy) Christner, Middlebury; two grandsons; two stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a sister.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Nappanee, with the Rev. Terry Tyler officiating. Burial will be in Hepton Union Cemetery with military graveside services.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to services Monday at the church.
