Christopher Vandiver Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 21. Christopher was born in Doniphan, Mo., on July 14, 1927, to his father Christopher and mother Artie May. He was one of 10 children and is survived by his brother Douglas and his sister Lillian. His brother Harold died in battle during World War II, and brother Harvey and sisters Viola, Mildred, Helen, Lois and Eunice have previously passed away. Christopher married Betsy R. Alfred, Bayboro, in New Bern in 1950. They had three sons, Harold, Phillip and Frederick. Phil passed away in 2001 and Betsy went to Heaven Oct. 27, 2010. Christopher also had four grandchildren, Adam, Carey, Derek and Daniel. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Ansley.
Life in Missouri was hard. No electricity or heating oil so they often slept four to a bed to keep away the bitter Missouri winter. Christopher joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and retired in 1972 as a master gunnery sergeant. As Chris would tell it he was a difficult child but 30 seconds at Paris Island changed his life forever, for the better. He earned many medals and ribbons and served in three major wars. The family settled in Jacksonville in 1963. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Christopher became a well-respected insurance agent for Shenandoah Life Insurance Company.
He battled prostate cancer for several years, which finally ended up taking his life. He never complained of the pain he must have been enduring with a severe fracture in his right hip brought on by the cancer. He joined Mom and Phil peacefully at home. His son Harold and Harold's wife Sharon were at his side.
The viewing will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Henderson Drive tonight, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30. The funeral service will be Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m., also at Johnson Funeral Home. Following the service, there will be a short graveside service at the NC State Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Flowers or a donation to our local USO would be most appreciated. He was a Marine to the end. Semper Fi and God speed. Condolences may be made at jdnews.com.
Published in Jacksonville NC Daily News March 24, 2011.
Life in Missouri was hard. No electricity or heating oil so they often slept four to a bed to keep away the bitter Missouri winter. Christopher joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and retired in 1972 as a master gunnery sergeant. As Chris would tell it he was a difficult child but 30 seconds at Paris Island changed his life forever, for the better. He earned many medals and ribbons and served in three major wars. The family settled in Jacksonville in 1963. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Christopher became a well-respected insurance agent for Shenandoah Life Insurance Company.
He battled prostate cancer for several years, which finally ended up taking his life. He never complained of the pain he must have been enduring with a severe fracture in his right hip brought on by the cancer. He joined Mom and Phil peacefully at home. His son Harold and Harold's wife Sharon were at his side.
The viewing will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Henderson Drive tonight, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30. The funeral service will be Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m., also at Johnson Funeral Home. Following the service, there will be a short graveside service at the NC State Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Flowers or a donation to our local USO would be most appreciated. He was a Marine to the end. Semper Fi and God speed. Condolences may be made at jdnews.com.
Published in Jacksonville NC Daily News March 24, 2011.
Christopher Vandiver Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 21. Christopher was born in Doniphan, Mo., on July 14, 1927, to his father Christopher and mother Artie May. He was one of 10 children and is survived by his brother Douglas and his sister Lillian. His brother Harold died in battle during World War II, and brother Harvey and sisters Viola, Mildred, Helen, Lois and Eunice have previously passed away. Christopher married Betsy R. Alfred, Bayboro, in New Bern in 1950. They had three sons, Harold, Phillip and Frederick. Phil passed away in 2001 and Betsy went to Heaven Oct. 27, 2010. Christopher also had four grandchildren, Adam, Carey, Derek and Daniel. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Ansley.
Life in Missouri was hard. No electricity or heating oil so they often slept four to a bed to keep away the bitter Missouri winter. Christopher joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and retired in 1972 as a master gunnery sergeant. As Chris would tell it he was a difficult child but 30 seconds at Paris Island changed his life forever, for the better. He earned many medals and ribbons and served in three major wars. The family settled in Jacksonville in 1963. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Christopher became a well-respected insurance agent for Shenandoah Life Insurance Company.
He battled prostate cancer for several years, which finally ended up taking his life. He never complained of the pain he must have been enduring with a severe fracture in his right hip brought on by the cancer. He joined Mom and Phil peacefully at home. His son Harold and Harold's wife Sharon were at his side.
The viewing will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Henderson Drive tonight, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30. The funeral service will be Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m., also at Johnson Funeral Home. Following the service, there will be a short graveside service at the NC State Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Flowers or a donation to our local USO would be most appreciated. He was a Marine to the end. Semper Fi and God speed. Condolences may be made at jdnews.com.
Published in Jacksonville NC Daily News March 24, 2011.
Life in Missouri was hard. No electricity or heating oil so they often slept four to a bed to keep away the bitter Missouri winter. Christopher joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and retired in 1972 as a master gunnery sergeant. As Chris would tell it he was a difficult child but 30 seconds at Paris Island changed his life forever, for the better. He earned many medals and ribbons and served in three major wars. The family settled in Jacksonville in 1963. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Christopher became a well-respected insurance agent for Shenandoah Life Insurance Company.
He battled prostate cancer for several years, which finally ended up taking his life. He never complained of the pain he must have been enduring with a severe fracture in his right hip brought on by the cancer. He joined Mom and Phil peacefully at home. His son Harold and Harold's wife Sharon were at his side.
The viewing will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Henderson Drive tonight, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30. The funeral service will be Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m., also at Johnson Funeral Home. Following the service, there will be a short graveside service at the NC State Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Flowers or a donation to our local USO would be most appreciated. He was a Marine to the end. Semper Fi and God speed. Condolences may be made at jdnews.com.
Published in Jacksonville NC Daily News March 24, 2011.
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