COLUMBIA CITY — Bonnie Jean Christner, 93, Warsaw, formerly of the Syracuse and North Webster area, passed away at 12:10 p.m. May 29, 2018, at Seasons Home Care, Warsaw.
She was born March 4, 1925, in South Bend, the daughter of Isaac and Mildred Marie Bixler Kline.
She spent her childhood in the LaGrange area and graduated from LaGrange High School with the Class of 1943.
She was united in marriage to Rollin F. Christner on March 9, 1946, in LaGrange, and she spent her married lifetime in the North Webster and Syracuse areas. Since 2006 she has resided in Warsaw to be near her family.
She assisted her husband with the daily operation of Christner Milk Transport Co., and she was the bookkeeper of the Belgium Draft Horse Association in Wabash for several years.
She was a member of North Webster Church of God and the founding choir director, serving in that role for many years. She also taught private piano lessons and was an organist for several local churches. She was a well-known area vocalist with the North Webster Church of God Trio, which included Bonnie, Sue Niles and Jesse Carey. Her trio performed at numerous events and churches, and sang on several radio stations.
Survivors include her three daughters: Yvonne Keirn and Connie (Gregory) Meadows, both of Warsaw, and Ginger Peters, Pierceton; a sister, Jeanette Plummer, Syracuse; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rollin F. Christner; and three sisters: June Firestone, JoAnn Mock and Jayne Timmons.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 1, at DeMoney-Grimes Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the funeral home. Douglas Plummer, a nephew, will be officiating. Burial will follow at Mock Cemetery, North Webster.
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Memorials to the John Douglas French Alzheimer Foundation or the American Heart Association.
To read Mrs. Christner’s complete life story or to light a remembrance candle, log on to www.demoneygrimes.com.
