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In Memoriam

Ivan Earle Christian - Class Of 1935

Ivan Earle Christian

Ivan Earle Christian, son of Earle Allen (1892-1972) and Bessie Belle (Miller0 (1891-1950) Christian, was born 21 May 1917, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  He graduated in 1935 from Okemos High School and married Elma Rose Widman on 15 January 1939, Lansing.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 26 January 1939

Before her marriage January 15 in the First Evangelical church with the Rev. Leon Woodward officiating, Mrs. Christian was Miss Elma R. Widman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Widman of this city.  Mr. Christian is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earle Christian, also of Lansing.  The double ring ceremony was performed before 285 guests.  The couple are making their home at the corner of Cavanaugh and Aurelius roads, Lansing.

Ivan, from boyhood on, was involved with Boy Scouts.  He also, during the 1950's, served on the school board for Forest School District No. 7, Lansing.  Elma worked with Council of Churches for over 20 years.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 13 July 1954

TRIO NAMED TO BOARD

PRESIDENT IS RE-ELECTED IN FOREST ROAD SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTE

The Forest Road school district re-elected one man and named two new members to its school board Monday night at the annual meeting of the district.

Robert Wilson was re-elected while Mrs. Betty Linhart and Hubert Mullett are the two new members.

Wilson was later re-elected president of the board and designated purchasing agent of the organization.  Ivan Christian kept his post as treasurer of the board, Mrs. Linhart was elected secretary; Mullett, transportation officer, and Guerdon Scott was given charge of maintenance and repairs.

The district agreed to continue sending seventh and eighth graders to the Lansing school system and to extend funds for bus transportation to school children living in the district a mile or more from the school.

Elma, born 1 September 1919, Lansing, died 18 January 1996, Lansing.  Ivan died 16 December 1998, Lansing.  They were interred Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 17 December 1998

IVAN E. CHRISTIAN

LANSING

Age 81, passed away on December 16, 1998.  Mr. Christian was born on May 21, 1917 in Lansing and had been a lifelong resident of the area.  He was a very active member of Calvary United Methodist Church and was employed with the City of Lansing for 14 years, retiring as Chief Building Inspector in 1982.  He was also a former Boy Scout Leader; was active with Meals on Wheels, and was a Red Cross volunteer.  Ivan was preceded in death by his wife, Elma in 1996.  Surviving are his daughter, Janet (Robert) Luoma of Lansing; son, Dennis (Holly) Christian of Ben Station, TN; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brother, Irving (Wilma) Christian of Lansing; sister, Earlene (Harold) Miner of Morristown, TN; nieces and nephews.  A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, December 18, 1998 at Cavalry United Methodist Church, 1919 S. Pennsylvania, with Pastor Jane Duffey officiating.