HOISINGTON — Ivan H. Christy, 88, died April 30, 2015, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington. He was born Feb. 9, 1927, at Kansas City, Mo., to Ivan H. and Anna (Tillisch) Christy. He married Mary Louise Kircher Feb. 7, 1949, at Paola. They were later divorced. Ivan then married Gwenola Bagley Ochs March 21, 1970, at Hoisington. She died April 30, 2007.
Ivan was a life member of V.F.W. Post No. 7428 and American Legion Post No. 286, and was a resident of Hoisington since 1962, growing up in Paola. Ivan, a WW II and Korean Conflict veteran, enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 20, 1944. He served on the aircraft carrier Antietam and Palau. Upon his military discharge on Feb. 14, 1950, he entered his apprenticeship with Missouri Pacific Railroad. He worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad as an electrician for 39 years, retiring in 1989.
Survivors include four sons, Phillip Christy and wife Marsha of Paola, Robert Christy and wife Leora of Olathe, Steve Christy of Chicago, Ill., and Richard Christy and wife Brenda of Spring Hill; one daughter, Catharine Ennis and husband William of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; two stepsons, Alan Ochs and wife Leta of Hoisington, and Owen Ochs and wife Deanna of Hoisington; two stepdaughters, Lin Ochs and husband Henry Porter of Cave Creek, Ariz., and Marcia Welch and husband Derrel of Denver, Colo.; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Doug Christy; sister, Annabelle Scherman; great-grandson, Jackson Christy; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Christy.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 4, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel in Hoisington with the Rev. Don Fisher, officiant. Interment will be at Hoisington Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation,  Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or the donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146; 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 3, 2015