Harold R. Christie, 85, of rural Urbana, Indiana, died at 4:43 am, Saturday April 21, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born September 24, 1932 in Muncie, Indiana to Wayne and Marie (Urschel) Christie.
Harold was a 1950 graduate of Urbana High School, received his bachelors degree from Manchester College, and his masters degree from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne. He was a US Army veteran. Harold married Nancy Fry in Wabash on November 29, 1959. He was a math teacher at Northfield High School, where he coached cross country and basketball, retiring after 39 years. He was also a farmer and milked dairy cows several years. He was a member of St. Peters United Church of Christ, and attended Bachelor Creek Church of Christ. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion Post 15, and the VFW Post 286, all of Wabash, and the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. Harold was an avid Indiana University and Chicago Cubs fan. He was a sports enthusiast, enjoying all Northfield and other county school sporting events, but his passions were his family and farming.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Christie of Urbana; four daughters, Janet (Phillip) Sparks of Urbana, Carol Christie of Fishers, Indiana, Linda (Sam) Watkins of Urbana, and Cathy (Steve) Gatchel of Wabash; seven grandchildren, Jacob Watkins, Jenna Watkins, and Joshua Watkins, all of Urbana, Leah Gatchel and Ella Gatchel, both of Wabash, Kyle Sparks and Christie Sparks, both of Urbana; his special niece, Carla Howard of North Manchester, and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Robert Lee Christie.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday, April 27, 2018 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Solomon David officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Urbana. Friends may call 2-8 pm Thursday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is the Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Harold may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.