CASSOPOLIS, Mich.,--Karl R. Crisler, 77, of North O'Keefe Street, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died Friday (Nov. 6, 2009) in the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
He was born April 12, 1932, in Grand Rapids to Joseph and Ardith L. (Taber) Crisler. On April 16, 1954, he married Dora S. Jones in Elkhart. She died May 5, 2008.
Mr. Crisler is survived by five children, Patricia (Bill) Chosa of Covington, Belinda (Gary) Gravit Sr. of Cassopolis, Camille (Gary) Frisbee of Clarksville, Tenn., Karla (Trini) Reyna of Sherwood, Ark., and Bryan (Cindi) Crisler Muncie, Ind.; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Diane Crume of Florida, Joyce Barrack of Pahrump, Nev., RuthAnn Carl of Seymour, Md., Donna Patten of Grand Rapids, Ethel Carson of Howard City and Marion Counterman.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Perrianne Charles; one grandson, Gary Gravit Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Melonie Lynn Charles, Wyatt Charles, Lindsay West, and Leah West; one brother, James Crisler; and his stepfather, Forrest Oberlin.
Mr. Crisler was a retired teacher who, along with his wife, owned and operated Flatlander Photo, Dowagiac and Cassopolis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a charter and life member of VFW Post 10704, Cassopolis.
He was on the board of governors of the Barn Swallow Theater, Cassopolis. He directed the dinner theater and its plays, was a volunteer for the Cass County Council on Aging, where he also did the Reader Theater Program, and was it photographer.
Mr. Crisler earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University, his Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University and his teaching degree from Michigan State University. He and his wife were known as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for more than 20 years.
Mr. Crisler's body has been donated to the University of Michigan Medical School.
Friends may call two hours prior to Wednesday's 6 p.m. funeral service at Connelly Funeral Home, 202 N. Broadway, Cassopolis. The Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor of Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis, will officiate. Military homors will be rendered by VFW Post 10704 and American Legion Post 206.
Memorials may be given to Cass County Council on Aging, Barn Swallow Theater or VFW Post 10704.
CASSOPOLIS, Mich.,--Karl R. Crisler, 77, of North O'Keefe Street, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died Friday (Nov. 6, 2009) in the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
He was born April 12, 1932, in Grand Rapids to Joseph and Ardith L. (Taber) Crisler. On April 16, 1954, he married Dora S. Jones in Elkhart. She died May 5, 2008.
Mr. Crisler is survived by five children, Patricia (Bill) Chosa of Covington, Belinda (Gary) Gravit Sr. of Cassopolis, Camille (Gary) Frisbee of Clarksville, Tenn., Karla (Trini) Reyna of Sherwood, Ark., and Bryan (Cindi) Crisler Muncie, Ind.; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Diane Crume of Florida, Joyce Barrack of Pahrump, Nev., RuthAnn Carl of Seymour, Md., Donna Patten of Grand Rapids, Ethel Carson of Howard City and Marion Counterman.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Perrianne Charles; one grandson, Gary Gravit Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Melonie Lynn Charles, Wyatt Charles, Lindsay West, and Leah West; one brother, James Crisler; and his stepfather, Forrest Oberlin.
Mr. Crisler was a retired teacher who, along with his wife, owned and operated Flatlander Photo, Dowagiac and Cassopolis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a charter and life member of VFW Post 10704, Cassopolis.
He was on the board of governors of the Barn Swallow Theater, Cassopolis. He directed the dinner theater and its plays, was a volunteer for the Cass County Council on Aging, where he also did the Reader Theater Program, and was it photographer.
Mr. Crisler earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University, his Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University and his teaching degree from Michigan State University. He and his wife were known as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for more than 20 years.
Mr. Crisler's body has been donated to the University of Michigan Medical School.
Friends may call two hours prior to Wednesday's 6 p.m. funeral service at Connelly Funeral Home, 202 N. Broadway, Cassopolis. The Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor of Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis, will officiate. Military homors will be rendered by VFW Post 10704 and American Legion Post 206.
Memorials may be given to Cass County Council on Aging, Barn Swallow Theater or VFW Post 10704.
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