Gary Christensen

Gary L. Christensen, age 70, went to be with the Lord at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at his residence.

He was born on February 12, 1940 in West Plains, MO, the son of Fred & Eva (Ford) Christensen.

He married Janice (Schuessler) on November 14, 1964 in Bethalto.  She passed away on July 21, 1992.  He then married Rose Lawson on August 20, 1993 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey.  She survives.

Gary was employed at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, in the sheet metal department for 31 years, retiring in 1995.  He served his country in the United States Navy from 1958-1962.  He was a charter member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey where he was very active with his church family and the I.A.M. Local out of St. Louis, MO.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and loved to spend time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his two daughters and a son-in-law, Lisa Olsen and companion Todd Barts of Columbia MO and Dawn & George Bickerstaff of Hope, AR; four step children and their spouses, Stacy & Steve Zipprich of Jerseyville, Tammy & Darrin Kaufmann of Godfrey, Patricia & Patrick Kallal of Valparaiso, IN and Andrea Keene of Jerseyville, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Anthony and Andrew Sherer, Jason, Steve, Chelsey and Nathan Kallal, Tabitha, Chris, Sabrina and Tiffanny Keene, Cheyenne Long, Joshua Kaufmann and Nick and Jeremy Noble; four great grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Norman & Juanita Christensen of Leesville LA; special former son-in-laws Scott Schonasky and Donald Sherer and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Donald, Clayton, Gordon and Richard Christensen.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey, with Pastor Kenneth F. Tegtmeier STS officiating.

Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Memorials may be given to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey.

Online condolences and guestbook can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.