Barbara J. Christophel

Barbara Jean Christophel, 88 of Golden Living Center, Elkhart for the past 15 years died March 19, 2009 @ 10:47 P.M.

She was born May 29, 1920 in Elkhart, Indiana to Warren P. and Lois (Hemingway) Tripp. She married George H. Christophel on October 30, 1949. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include a son, Warren G. (Bonnie) Christophel of Miami, Florida, a daughter, Gretchen E. Christophel of Elkhart, two grandchildren, Warren J.P. Christophel and Caitlin B. Christophel, two stepdaughters, Georgia Mae Thompson of Goshen, Indiana and Carol (Alvaro) Garcia of Phoenix, Arizona, two brothers, Norman Tripp of Nappanee, Indiana and Harlan Tripp of Pasadena, California, three sisters, Muriel (Al) Fry (formerly Mrs. Russell Wells) of Constantine, Michigan, Ada Kenny of Jefferson, Texas and Beverly Mann of Baker, Florida, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Barbara Jean and George Christophel moved to Coral Gables, Florida in the 1950’s. He participated in the development of Cape Canaveral (later known as the Kennedy Space Center), she raised the family. She returned to the work force after the children were grown as the accountant for the Westward Ho! restaurant chain in Miami, Florida. Upon George’s death she returned to the Elkhart area for her golden years. She learned to cross-stitch and needlepoint at the age of 72 and entered many of her works of art in the Elkhart County Fair. Many of her pieces won first and second place ribbons. She stitched her last piece of needlepoint at the age of 80. Her home made jellies and jams were famous among friends and relatives. She loved having fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers from the home garden. She took up ceramics while living in the Golden Living Center. While she was able, there wasn’t a craft she wouldn’t try. One of her greatest loves was her “shelter” kitties, Elvira and Missy. They would visit her from time to time in the nursing facility and she always had to show them off to the other cat lovers in the home. They have since departed this life as well.

She was a fifty plus year member of the Order of the Eastern Star Bristol Lodge.

An online guestbook may be accessed at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pet Refuge of Mishawaka or the No-Kill shelter of your choice.