Christopher John Staehling

Christopher John Staehling, born November 18, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of George and Anna (Tebbens) Staehling. He was united in marriage to the former Dorothy Kogge on April 15, 1967. Chris passed from his earthly life on April 28, 2016. He is survived by his wife; nieces and nephews, Martha Penn of Munising, MI; Mary Ann (Ronald) Douglas of Paw Paw, MI; Selkie O'Mira (Abe Baggins) of Camden, ME; Richard (Rita) Thompson of Crofton KY; Rebecca (Jeff) Bardin of Camden, ME; and Anna (J.P.) Patt of Warm Springs, OR; Kenneth Staehling, Edith Gonzalez, and John Staehling all of California; many great nieces and nephews, several great great nieces and nephews, and three great great great nieces. He was preceded in death by a sister Annette Thompson and brother George Staehling.
Chris graduated with the Paw Paw High School Class of 1936. He served in the United States Army Air Corp in World War II. He was employed by the Paw Paw Shopping Center as a meat cutter for over 40 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 68 in Paw Paw, where he played bugle for military funerals and Memorial Day celebrations for over 60 years. His family were founding members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Paw Paw, where he served as Financial Chairman for 20 years and sang in the adult choir for over 60 years. He was an avid bowler for many years and an avid golfer into his 90's. He had a love of the lake and fishing, having grown up and lived on Lake Cora until his marriage when he moved to Three-Mile Lake where he and Dorothy owned and operated Jeniola Park resort for 44 years.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 721 Pine Street, Paw Paw, with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Eric Gledhill officiating. A luncheon will follow. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Paw Paw, or Maple City Veterans Memorial Park, c/o American Legion Post 68, Paw Paw.