Clyde 'Chris' Chrisman

Clyde “Chris” Chrisman, 88, of Winterset went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, February 1, 2019 after a brief stay at Winterset Care Center North. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 8, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset with a luncheon to follow. Burial with military honors will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Memorials may be directed to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or Shriners Hospital for Children and online condolences can be left at ochiltree.com. Clyde Eugene Chrisman, son of Clyde Lester and Edith (Gaswint) Chrisman, was born November 19, 1930 in Ottawa County, Kansas. He graduated from Bennington High School in 1948. Chris was united in marriage with Shirley “Ruth” McCracken on June 17, 1951 in Memphis, Tennessee. He enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and served for 20 years. Chris served during Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and on the USS Essex during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a math instructor during peace times for the Navy. After his service Chris worked for Rotanium Industrial for ten years before returning to teaching math for the military. Chris retired in 1992. He was an ordained Baptist Minister and volunteered for the Christian Serviceman and ministered at many nursing homes. Chris was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Atoka, Tennessee. Chris and Ruth moved to Winterset in 2007 and later joined the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset. He had a passion for gardening both flowers and vegetables. He enjoyed sharing his flowers with the nursing homes residents he frequented. Chris enjoyed collecting rocks and marbles. He loved to write poetry and short stories. He was an avid reader who enjoyed puzzles, numbers and logic. Chris was a talented ping pong and billiards player. Chris never let guests of his house leave empty handed and loved to give and give. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend, who cherished nothing more than spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley “Ruth” Chrisman of Winterset; three children, Michael Chrisman of Memphis; Mary (Dan) Terry of Winterset; David (Karen) Chrisman of Dyersburg, TN; ten grandchildren, Steven Chrisman, Sarah Garcia, Elissa Terry, Jacob Terry, Amy Bagby, Tom Terry, Ben Terry, Emily Terry, Richard Billings, Andreah Churchill; 16 great grandchildren; siblings, Carolyn (Courtney) Temple; Steve (Pat) Chrisman; Roy Chrisman all of Salina, KS; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. The family treasured their special friendship with the Bassett family through the years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale (Bernice) Chrisman, James (Wanda) Chrisman; and a grandson-in-law, Brian Churchill.