Christopher Mease

Chris Mease, 44, of Rock Island, Illinois, died Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at his residence. A visitation with his family present will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21 at Ochiltree Funeral Service. A memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 22 at the First Christian Church in Winterset with burial to immediately follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for his children’s education. Christopher Michael Deering was born on July 27, 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of William “Bill” and Nancy (Griffith) Deering. Later, his mother married David Mease and Chris was adopted, taking his name. Chris grew up in Winterset and attended school there until moving to Des Moines during high school, graduating from Roosevelt in 1989. He attended Iowa State University where he obtained degrees in Micro Biology and Animal Science. Chris served in the United States Army Reserves enlisting in 2003. He served in Kuwait and obtained the rank of First Sergeant. He continued his reserves service based out of Fort Des Moines and was recently promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer in the 4224th Medical Unit. During his working career, Chris has worked at Kraft Foods where he worked in quality assurance and inspection for food safety. He also worked for Pioneer Hybrids in Johnston, IA where he was a laboratory technician. Chris loved animals and was dedicated to animal rights. He was especially fond of dogs having three as pets and he also was a sheep dog trainer. Above all else, he was the proud father of Dylan and Stella. He is survived by a son, Dylan Kobberdahl-Mease of Des Moines, IA (mother, Melissa Kobberdahl), a daughter, Stella Grace Rider-Mease of Rock Island, IL (mother, Nichollette Rider); his mother, Nancy (Alan) Anthony of Macksburg, IA; grandmother, Mary Mundell of Winterset, IA; two brothers, Jeff (Chasity) Mease of West Des Moines, IA; Jason Mease (Mary Jo Harms) of Huxley, IA; Aunts and Uncles, Judi and Dale Richardson of Englewood, CO; Dave and Nancy Griffith of Ely, IA; Jerry and Vicki Mease of Winterset; Dan Mease and Janice Myers of Decorah, IA; other extended family and a host of friends. Chris was preceded in death by his fathers, William Deering and David Mease and grandfather, Wayne Griffith.