HUTCHINSON — Walter Earl Crist, 97, passed away August 1, 2017 at Diversicare Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hutchinson.
The son of Earl and Ora Crist, he was born in Friend, Kan. Oct. 3, 1919. He was a retired carpenter. A master woodworker, he made children’s toys for his grand and great grandchildren. He never refused to accept a challenge when it came to his woodworking trade and taught his family his tools of the trade.
On Jan. 7, 1945 he married the love of his life, Grace Evelyn Mickelson Carr in Bentonville, Ark. She preceded him in death after 57 years of marriage on May 27, 2002.
Other survivors include three sons — John (Norma) Carr; Gordon (Diana) Crist; and Ed (Rayetta) Crist; four daughters — Janet Flint, Karen (Jerry) Gilkey; Gloria (Scott) Callaway; and Tonya Appel; 28 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; a son, Dale Carr, Jr.; a daughter, Sandra Newkirk; two grandsons and three great-grandsons.
A gathering for family and friends is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 at Old Mission–Heritage Funeral Home, 528 N. Main, Hutchinson with a celebration of life scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1028 E. 16th, Hutchinson.
A celebration of life for friends in Great Bend and Pawnee Rock is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Christian Church, 519 Centre Street in Pawnee Rock.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, Kansas and left in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home *
528 Main Street
Hutchinson, KS, 67501
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 2, 2017