Bernard L “Bernie” Christian, 76, of The Villages FL passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side on December 1, 2021. Bernie was born on June 11, 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School. He served in the United States Army with the Pershing Missile System at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Neu Ulm, Germany from 1966 through 1969. Later, he attended Lansing Community College, graduating with an Associates degree in Business.
Bernie was a real “car guy” having worked for General Motors—Oldsmobile in Lansing for 34 years. He was a founding member of the Grand Valley Corvette Association (GVCA) in Grand Rapids, worked & volunteered for Bloomington Gold, the “Grandaddy of Corvette Shows” in Illinois as a judge, senior judge and Director. He was a huge NASCAR fan & still says that Dale Earnhart, Sr. was the best driver ever.
Bernie is a member of St. Gerard Parish. He is a member of the Forty & Eight Voiture 946, a military honor society and American Legion Post 183 in Lansing.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eldon T. Christian and Alice Coykendall Christian; sister, Judy Mae Christian; brother-in-law, James C Lacic; nephew, James D Lacic; and former wife, Cheryl Miehlke Christian.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra (Svec) Christian; daughter, Erin (Matthew) Buckley; three grandsons: Ethan, Ryan and Jameson; sisters: Edith Lacic and Susan (Terry) Davis; sister-in-law, Gretchen Svec; brother-in-laws, Michael Svec and Steven (Judith) Svec; along with many nieces and nephews and favorite dog, Ryder.
A visitation for Bernie will be held Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. A Celebration of Bernard's Life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, December 13 at the above location. Visitation from 10:00am until time of service. Committal service with military honors will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 14 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Rd, Augusta, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations in his memory be made to the 40 et 8 Voiture 946, 2949 S Waverly Hwy, Lansing, MI 48911 or to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
The family would like to thank Dignity Memorial through Gorsline Runciman Lansing Funeral Home, with participation by Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Ocala Florida. Special gratitude to Hospice of Marion County for their kindness and compassionate care.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Christian family.
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