Edward Karl Christ passed away Thursday, September 6, 2012 at the Apostolic Christian Resthaven in Elgin. He was 88 years old. Born August 4, 1924, he was one of two children to Karl and Margaret (nee Lossau) Christ.
He attended Elgin public schools where he played trumpet in both the Abbott and Elgin High School bands. Upon graduating from Elgin High School in June 1943, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and volunteered for the Submarine Service where he attained the rank of Fireman 1st Class. He served in the Pacific Theater until the end of World War II.
While still in the Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Alice Chapman, on July 6, 1945.
Following his discharge in December 1945, he held various jobs, including employment with McGraw Edison, the Roundhouse in Bensenville (repairing diesel engines), and Ryburn Electric.
In January 1958 he was hired by the City of Elgin as a Public Safety Officer. When the Public Safety Program discontinued in 1960, he was transferred to the position of Police Patrolman. In March 1963 he was promoted to Sergeant where he served first as Watch Supervisor and eventually as Operational Support Supervisor. He was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1973 and named to head the Detective Bureau until he was appointed as Assistant to the Chief for planning in May of 1977. He retired in January 1978 after 20 years of service.
Following retirement, he and Marilyn ejoyed traveling across the United States, camping in their Airstream trailer and spending time at their lake lot property in Leisure Lake, Iowa.
Less than a year after their 50th wedding anniversary, he lost his wife and best friend when Marilyn suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away on June 20, 1996.
Through mutual friends in the Airstream Club, Ed had the good fortune to become acquainted with Dorothea Pokras, who had also lost her husband. The two fell in love and were married on November 4, 2000. They took great pleasure in each other’s company and continued to enjoy travelling until Dorothea fell victim to cancer and passed away in June 2003.
Ed was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as usher and sang in the Fellowship Choir. He was a lifetime member of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Policemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, and the National Rifle Association.
Ed was a man who, in his earlier years, enjoyed photography. He appreciated the beauty of nature, taking pleasure in watching birds and other wildlife, and was happy sitting around a campfire at night. He had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing as well as listening to classical and sacred music. He was a cat lover and usually had a couple at a time. About his travels, he was proud to say that he had visited every one of the 48 contiguous United States.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn, and second wife Dorothea; his youngest daughter, Karla Lynette Christ; his parents; and his younger brother Robert Francis Christ.
Survivors include his daughter Cynthia (Douglas) Nelson of Leisure Lake, Iowa, and his son Robert (Janice) Christ of Oregon, IL (both formerly of Elgin); his step-daughter Sue (Pokras) Voss of Streamwood, IL, and her son Josef; grandchildren Kimberly Nelson Davidson of College Station, TX, Darryl (Jenny) Nelson of Loves Park, IL, Rebecca Nelson of Elgin, Edward R. (Kelly) Christ of Belvidere, IL and Angela (Mike) Getzelman of Hampshire, IL; 11 great-grandchildren; and close friend Mary Homeier of Elgin.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin, on Saturday, September 15th at 1:00 pm. A luncheon will follow, allowing opportunity to pay respects and share memories of Ed’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ed’s name to Holy Trinity Lutheran Churh, 357 Division Street, Elgin, IL 60120, or Apostolic Christian Resthaven, 2750 W. Highland Ave, Elgin, IL 60123.