Emmanuel "Mike" Christ, age 83 of Freeport, IL passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born December 16, 1933; the son of the late George and Florence (Haefner) Christ. He graduated from Freeport High School. Mike married Eldora "Tazzy" Grundall on October 10, 1960 in the chapel at Faith UMC in Freeport. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 10-10-10.
He worked at the Sizzle Shop and for the railroad. He also worked at Micro Switch for 32 years where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club and the Micro Switch Bowling team, winning many trophies. His memberships include the Eagles Club and the Moose Lodge. In their younger years, Mike and Tazzy enjoyed dancing and they loved listening to 50's music. Their pride and joy was their 1949 Studebaker Champion Convertible. He was an HO Train enthusiast and a great artist, making many models and drawings. He was also an avid reader, he especially liked science fiction. Mike was very active and liked going out to eat, seeing movies and going for car rides. He was an avid Chicago Sox and Bears fan. He was an animal lover and had a special place in his heart for his cats, Paris, Prince, Grey Mist and Gypsy.
He is survived by his wife, Eldora "Tazzy" Christ of Freeport; sons, Marc (Barbara) Christ of Monterey, CA and William (Krystal) Christ of Freeport; daughter, Tina (Mark) Hepler of Freeport; grandchildren, Jon (Margo) Trimble, Jason (Lori) Trimble, Scott (Amy) Trimble, Aaron (Jennifer) Broege, Jacob (Kat) Broege, Sheri (Matthew) Willis, Heather (George) Chavez, Issarah Cabrera, and Trystan (Mei) Christ; 21 great grandchildren; nephew, Dave (Sheri) Ashley of Lanark, IL; and daughter-in-law, Gloria Thornton of CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Florence; half-brothers, Paul Ashley and Harold Ashley; and 2 infant brothers.
A visitation will be held Friday, April 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Walker Mortuary in Freeport, IL. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 15th at 10:00 am also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Friends Forever Humane Society and Critter Camp.