Frederick Eugene Christner

Frederick Eugene (Fred) Christner aged 83 years, 3 months, and 14 days, of Irving IL finished his life’s journey at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL on Monday May 12, 2025 at 11:45pm.

Fred was born on January 28, 1942 in Pana, IL to Warren and Ione (Moxley) Christner; the third of four children. He is survived by an older sister, Barbary Brumbaugh of Sullivan, IL and a younger sister Carolyn (Don) Werner of Logan, UT, and brother-in-law Jack Shoulders of Monongahela, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Doris Phillips, brothers-in-law Leonard Brumbaugh and Thomas Phillips, and sister-in-law Diana Shoulders.

He was a 1960 graduate of Pana High School. He attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL and was a 1969 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. He attended graduate school at Northern Iowa University, Cedar Falls, IA and Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

He married Ellen (Shoulders) Christner in 1969 in Robinson, IL. She survives. They have two children; a daughter Katherin Christner Tucker (Scott Cohan) of Nokomis, IL and William Christner, of Irving, IL; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. His tours of duty included Lackland AFB, TX; Kessler AFB, MS: Bremerhaven Germany; and Trabzon, Turkey. He served his country from April 1963 to April 1969.

He was the managing editor of the Free-Press Progress in Nokomis, IL from 1985 to 2000. As a community journalist he touched many lives covering local events, school sports and activities. Prior to moving to Nokomis he was advertising manager for the Pana News, in Pana, IL. He organized the first year of soccer for the youth in Nokomis in 1986. After retiring from the Free Press Progress, he continued his newspaper career for a small newspaper in Gillespie, IL.

He was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Rosamond where he had served as a deacon and an elder.

While living in Pana he was a member of the Lions Club and served as their President. He was active in his community belonging to many organizations. He served on the Community District Unit #22 School Board, the Regional Board of Education, and the Nokomis Witt Area Ambulance Service Board of Directors. He was Life-long learner and enjoyed reading, writing, and collecting books. He especially enjoyed reading and learning about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. He loved telling story whether it was from his reading, history or from his life experiences. He loved seeing and making people smile.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the time of service at 10:30 am on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am at the Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Nance officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemond Grove Cemetery.

Please visit www.stiehldawsonfh.com to share memories of Jeffrey, or to offer condolences to his family.

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