COLUMBUS
Larry Dean Christman, 77, of Columbus, went to be with the Lord at 1:53 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2016, at Seymour Crossing.
Born Nov. 29, 1938, in Ripley County, he was the son of the Rev. Roscoe Christman and Leone Hughes Christman, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 5, 1959, at Fredonia Baptist Church in Switzerland County, he married Betty Dean Lock, who survives.
As a child, Larry spent his summers with his grandparents, Harry and Carrie Bliton Christman on the family farm at Pleasant. He attended schools in Kentucky, where his parents were in the ministry. He enjoyed working with his father during his childhood. His father taught him carpentry, construction and mechanic skills.
Larry graduated in 1956 from Shelbyville High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Three months after graduation, Larry hired in at Cummins Engine Co. at Columbus, where he worked until retirement after 30 years.
In the fall of 1959, the couple bought their first home on Ross Street in Madison. During their six years at Madison, they were blessed with three children, Susan, Bob and Sharon. The family moved to Columbus in 1965 and bought their second home on Karlsway Drive in Mineral Springs so Larry would be closer to his job at Cummins.
After retiring from Cummins, Larry drove for Columbus Transit. During this period of 10 years, he met many good friends. Staff and riders were all special to him.
Larry attended Shiloh Baptist Church where he had many friends and co-workers. He always said he never needed any hobbies because all he needed was his family, that was his enjoyment in life. Larry had a great sense of humor. He loved his grandchildren and was devoted to them just as he was with his children.
Besides his wife, other survivors include a son, Robert (Shari) Christman of Columbus; daughters, Susan (Terry) Grammer and Sharon (Jerry) Wilson, both of Columbus; sister, Sara Jean (Larry) Estes of Paris, Kentucky; mother-in-law, Flossie Lock of Columbus; grandchildren, Stacie (Nathan) Larrison, Thomas (Ashley) Grammer, Beth Dunn, Allison (Levi) Deckard, Shellie (Ryan) Huff, Dan Christman and Kate Christman; great-grandchildren, Bella, Daisy and Joseph Dunn, Charlie, Harry and Gwynneth Grammer, Elliott Larrison, Gibson and Bowen Deckard, and Easton Deckard is on the way; brother-in-law, Norris Krall of Osgood; several nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Jane Hance of Rexville.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Chester Lock; and a sister-in-law, Mary Krall.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, 3855 25th St., Columbus, with the Rev. Nathan Couch officiating. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until time of service Friday.
Memorials may be made to Purdue Students Against Alzheimer’s, in which Larry’s granddaughter Kate is president.
You are invited to view his video tribute after 3 p.m. Thursday, light a virtual candle and/or send a message to the family via jewellrittman.com.