John Andrew Christensen

     John Andrew Christensen, age 90, of Ottawa Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on Monday, May 2, 2017.  He was born on August 29, 1926 at home in Ottawa Lake to James Sr. and Mabel (Dashner) Christensen.  He graduated in 1945 from Burnham High School, Sylvania, Ohio.  John was a WWII Veteran serving in the United States Army honorably as a military policeman from 1945-1946. 

     He married the love of his life, Ruth Arvilla Driver, on September 11, 1949.  John worked at Champion Spark Plug for 30 years, retiring in 1979, but his true passion was farming.  He loved the land, gardening, working on anything with his hands, his donkeys and dogs, traveling, and spending time with family.  He was a lifelong member of the Ottawa Co-op, and a faithful member of his church.  John will be remembered for his quiet demeanor, strong family commitment and honesty, along with his sense of humor and work ethic.

     The fifth of seven children, John is survived by sisters, Anna Rittner of Riga and Carol Creque, of Ottawa Lake.  Preceding him in death are sisters, Hazel Salsberry and Helen Koester, and brothers, James Christensen Jr. and Richard Christensen.

     John is also survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth, daughters, Faith (Charles) Hicks of Ottawa Lake and Peggy Christensen of Victoria, Texas; son-in-law, Charles Hicks, daughter-in-law, Angela Christensen; grandchildren, Dawn (Josh) Harder, Philip Hicks, Christen (Jamie) Ikerd, Eric Christensen and Amanda Christensen; great-grandchildren, Cameron Harder and Henrik Ikerd.  He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Christensen, grandson, Nicholas Christensen, and great-granddaughter, Hanna Ikerd.

     A celebration of John’s life will be held at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Road, Ottawa Lake, Michigan, on Monday, May 8, 2017.  Visitation will be from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Mark Gibbs.  Dinner will follow.  A private family burial of John’s ashes will take place at a later date.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. 

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.reebfuneralhome.com