Larry D. Christman

Larry Dean Christman, 77, of County Road 250E, went to be with the Lord at 1:53 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2016, at Seymour Crossing. Larry was born  November 29, 1938, to Roscoe and Leone (Hughes) Christman in Ripley County. He had one sister, Sara Jean. As a child Larry spent his summers with his grandparents, Harry and Carrie (Bliton) Christman, on the family farm at Pleasant, Indiana. He attended schools in Kentucky where his parents were in the ministry. Larry enjoyed working with his father during his childhood. His father taught him carpentry, construction and mechanic skills. Larry graduated in 1956 from Shelbyville High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Three months after graduation Larry hired in at Cummins Engine Company at Columbus, where he worked until retirement after 30 years. Larry married Betty Dean Lock on June 5, 1959, at Fredonia Baptist Church in Switzerland County, Indiana. That fall, Larry and Betty bought their first home on Ross Street in Madison. During their six years at Madison they were blessed with three children, Susan, Bob and Sharon. Larry, Betty and the family moved to Columbus in 1965 and bought their second home on Karlsway in Mineral Springs so Larry would be closer to his job at Cummins. After retiring from Cummins, Larry drove for ColumBUS Transit. During this period of ten years, he met many good friends. Staff and riders were all special to him. Larry attended Shiloh Baptist Church where he had many friends and co-workers. He always said he never needed any hobbies because all he needed was his family, that was his enjoyment in life. Larry had a great sense of humor. He loved his grandchildren and was devoted to them just as he was with his children. Survivors include his wife; son, Robert (Shari) Christman of Columbus; daughters, Susan (Terry) Grammer and Sharon (Jerry) Wilson, both of Columbus; sister, Sara (Larry) Estes of Paris, Kentucky; mother-in-law, Flossie Lock of Columbus; grandchildren, Stacie (Nathan) Larrison, Thomas (Ashley) Grammer, Beth Dunn, Allison (Levi) Deckard, Shellie (Ryan) Huff, Dan Christman and Kate Christman; great-grandchildren, Bella, Daisy and Joseph Dunn, Charlie, Harry and Gwynneth Grammer, Elliott Larrison, Gibson and Bowen Deckard, and Easton Deckard is on the way; brother-in-law, Norris Krall of Osgood; several nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Jane Hance of Rexville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Roscoe and Leone Christman; father-in-law, Chester Lock; and a sister-in-law, Mary Krall.