Calling(s)

Tuesday, June 27, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel

Service

Tuesday, June 27, 1:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel

Obituary

Ben David Crist, 66, of Bluffton, South Carolina, and formerly of Fort Wayne died Thursday, June 22, 2017.

He was born January 29, 1951, in Fort Wayne to Robert and Leona (Marhenke) Crist.

On November 23, 2001, in Kendallville he married Diane L. Schoonover.

He retired in 2007 after 30 years at Dana's Spicer Axle Division in Fort Wayne. After 25 years at Dana, he decided he would get the Dana diamond necklace for his wife and wait for another five years to retire in order to get the diamond ring for himself. But, of course, it was his 30th year of employment with Dana when they did away with bonus gifts.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colon, Michigan, and Island Lutheran Church in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

As a young child, Ben played football and baseball for the Fort Wayne Police League. He loved growing up in Fort Wayne and sharing stories of his childhood with friends, uncles, aunts, and dear cousins.

Ben loved taking vacations and little trips. He thoroughly enjoyed their last trip to the Virgin Islands, and was looking forward to the next one to the California coast, which was to have started in Glendora, where Diane took her first teaching call in 1976.

He enjoyed gardening, yard work, being on the water, fishing, and golfing. But, most of all, Ben loved helping others and became a volunteer for the Beaufort Historical Museum. He also enjoyed collecting items for Operation Christmas Child and scored a big hit a few weeks ago when he purchased 50 pairs of socks for five dollars.

Surviving are his wife, Diane L. Crist of Bluffton, South Carolina; and a nephew, Steven Crist of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, William Crist and Robert Crist.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville with Rev. David Grimm of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colon, Michigan, officiating. Burial will be Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 12 p.m. in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne.

Calling will be Tuesday, June 27, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made to the Bronson Public Library or to St. Paul Lutheran Church for Operation Christmas Child. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com or visit their Facebook page.