Birth date: May 19, 1925 Death date: May 15, 2006
James Douglas Christman, age 80, a lifelong resident of Spring Lake, passed away Monday, May 15, 2006, at his home. Born May 19, 1925 in Grand Haven to George S. and Adrienne (Glerum) Christman, he married Lois M. Austin on Septem Read Obituary
Lois,
You are in my prayers during this sorrowful time. I know that Jim will be missed terribly. I remember picking up truckloads of scrap lumber at Jim's business years ago, he was such a great guy! And very tall, at least to me. :) You and I were working at Elastodyne, some of the best times of my life. God be with you.##imported-begin##Lynne Cross##imported-end##
My thought and prayers are with you and your family at this time. i remember as a kid with my grandfather and father running around the lumber yard in SL. i also remeber my father and grandfather building a boat in one of the storage building there. Tom Groenevelt##imported-begin##Tom Groenevelt##imported-end##
Dear Lois, Jim, Doug, Jane, Barri, Jill and Lauren,
I wish to express to you my condolences. Jim left a wonderful impression on all who met him and had the opportunity to interact. I remember meeting him many years ago when my parents owned the Pickle Barrel. He frequently stopped by to purchase an item or two that he could very easily have purchased somewhere else more conveniently. I think though that he wanted to be supportive of a locally-owned business. I was struck by the fact that he would go out of his way to do that. Some years later I had the chance to meet him and get to know him on a more personal level, and was always touched by his and Lois's warm hospitality. You are in my thoughts at this time and I'll keep you in my prayers as you move on with your lives. I'm sure you know that's what he wants.
Sincerely,
Phil Sielski##imported-begin##Phil Sielski##imported-end##
Lois, Jim, Doug and families...
As we all are stricken with grief, we know that Heaven is rejoicing with Jim's homecoming. What an incredible soul he was and will always be in our hearts and minds. I (Giselle) have such vivid memories of Sunday's at Grandma and Grandpa's house and sharing them with Uncle Jim and Aunt Lois. Like Kevin, I too, have wonderful memories of times on Saturdays at the Lumber yard including the sugar cubes!!! Every time I walk into a Loewes or Home Depot thoughts from those days always come to mind when I smell the wood. Uncle Jim was such a classy gentleman. He WAS bigger than life as someone else put it. And last summer at Dad's 85th party in SL with Uncle Jim shpowing up there is something that will always stick in my mind. I had no idea he would be there and that just reinforced the love of family to me and my daughter......What a gesture...One of my favorite photos from that event was of Dad and Uncle Jim with heads together looking at the video Brian had put together. It's a tearjerker to me every time I look at it. As I look at the picture on this page of the empty chair on the edge of the water, I picture Uncle Jim in it in total peace with a big grin on his face. That is the image I will hold in my heart and mind. You know our love, & prayers are with you and we will contribute to one of your causes in Jim's name.
Hugs......Dave, Giselle and Chelsea##imported-begin##David & Giselle (Christman) Fox and Chelsea##imported-end##
Memories of Jim go back to 3rd grade through 10th at the Spring Lake School then on to Grand Haven HS. Also remember the early days at the Spring Lake Baptist Church! The last time we talked to Jim was at the Grand Haven HS 50th reunion at the Spring Lake Country Club....also have a group picture of that event.
Lois, Bob and I want to send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. George and Shirley, you may remember my brother Gordon (died Dec. 2004) and my sister Phyllis.
We spend 3 months in Spring Lake during the summer...will be leaving in 2 weeks. We'll be thinking of you.##imported-begin##Bob & Shirley Collins Feller##imported-end##
Lois,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss in Jim's passing.It seems like yesterday when I started at Elastodyne in 1977 and first became aquanted with you and Jim. Spring Lake is a wonderful community and you both contributed immensely to make it a great place to settle and raise a family.
From my family to yours, wishing you the very best in these troubled times.
Your friend,
Bob##imported-begin##Bob Herrmann##imported-end##
To the entire extended Christman Family: We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Christman this week. Hopefully, your warm memories of him will give you comfort both this week and the times to come. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Scot, Jill, Jim and Dan Ferris##imported-begin##Jill and Scot Ferris##imported-end##
Aunt Lois, Jim, Doug and families: I am truly saddened by your loss. Throughout my life I have had nothing but love, respect and admiration for Uncle Jim.
I have been replaying my memories of him these last few days and what comes to mind is when we had the mini family reunion at the the SL Holiday Inn last year. Uncle Jim was sitting next to dad (George)and MaryLynne,Megan and I were cracking up at the incredible amount of similarities between George and Jim. The funniest was when dad and Uncle Jim would scratch the sides of their noses at the exact same times on the exact same spots. I love watching the DVD of that dinner ! I am grinning from ear to ear right now as I write this and thinking of all the times I would be at the lumber yard and Jim, Norm and Dad would be going about their business. One time, Uncle Jim caught me stealing sugar cubes (remember the coffee area?)and he made me put half of what I took back. He always had a warm smile for me and the other kids and was a gracious caring individual. I am honored that he was my Uncle.
I love you all and treasure the memories I have of our families. Peace be with all of you.
Kevin Christman
Phoenix, AZ##imported-begin##Kevin Christman##imported-end##
Jim was a WWII veteran--young, tall and debonair when I first met him at Western Michigan, "courting" Lois, of course. It was 1946. As I came to know
his children, I learned he was a
"family man" with respect for
them as well as his local heritage.
In the village my family and I learned early on where he hung out--Christman Street, of course. As Jim entered eternity earlier this week, I'm sure he was welcomed with "well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21) My Jim remembers being in France, scheduled to go to Bastogne and subsequently learned coincidentally Jim C. was there at the same time. Later they recounted surviving "those days" miraculously while enjoying the "good life" here in the Village. Jim joins me in offering our comfort to Lois. May she and her family find solace in the memory of him and in the thoughts of those who share their sorrow.##imported-begin##Jan Bussard##imported-end##
Dear Lois and Family,
We were saddened to hear of Jim's death. Please know that you will be in our prayers. We will always remember Jim's ready smile and his neat sense of humor. God Bless, Karen and Harry##imported-begin##Karen and Harry Nienhouse##imported-end##
