Eunice O. Gardner Christopher

Eunice Odessa GARDNER, daughter of George Mack GARDNER, Sr . and Orma PIERSON, was born 16 Jun 1897 in South Boardman, Kalkaska Co., Michigan. She died 15 Feb 1965 in Bradenton, Manatee Co., Florida and was buried in Ogsdensburg Cemetery, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.

MARRIAGE:

Eunice married Harry F. CHRISTOPHER on 26 Feb 1916 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Harry was born 9 Aug 1895 in Old Mission, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan, son of Jesse CHRISTOPHER and Carrie ZOULEK. He died 20 Aug 1967 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan and was buried 22 Aug 1967 in Ogsdensburg Cemetery, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.

Harry and Eunice Christopher

CENSUS:

1920 U.S. Census, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan:

Harry Christopher, 24, owns a farm, free of mortgage, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, farmer on fruit farm

Eunice O., 22, wife, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan

Harry M., 2 years 7 months, son, b. Michigan

Helen O., 1 year 5 months, daughter, b. Michigan

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1930 U.S. Census, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan:

Harry F. Christopher, 34, owns property valued at $3000, does not own a radio, lives on a farm, first married at 20 years old, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigain, farmer, is not a veteran

Eunice O., 32, wife, first married at 18 years old, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York,

Harry M., 12, son, attended school, b. Michigan

Helen O., 11, daughter, attended school, b. Michigan

Living son

DEATH of EUNICE:

"Traverse City Record Eagle," Traverse City, Michigan, February 18, 1965:

Mrs. Harry (Eunice) Christopher, 67, of Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City, died Monday evening at her winter residence in Bradenton, Fla.

Mrs. Christopher was born June 16, 1897 at South Boardman and had been an Old Mission Peninsula resident since her marriage in 1916 to Mr. Christopher, who survives.

She was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an active member of the women's department of the church. She also was an active member of the Ogdensburg Methodist Church WSCS and of the Order of Eastern Star.

Surviving besides the husband are...... six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Clarence Gardner of Traverse City, George Gardner of California, and Frank Gardner of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by a son and a grandson.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Martinson funeral home in Traverse City, Elder Jay Doty officiating, assisted by Rev. Theron Bailey, with committal to Oakwood mausoleum and burial in the family lot in Ogdensburg cemetery in the spring. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon on Friday.

DEATH of HARRY:

Published in the "Traverse City Record Eagle," Traverse City, Michigan, Monday, August 21, 1967:

Harry Christopher, 72, a life long resident of Old Mission Peninsula, died early Sunday morning at Munson Medical Center following a long illness.

He was born Aug. 9, 1895 on the Old Mission Peninsula and was a cherry grower most of his life. On Feb. 26, 1916, he married Eunice Gardner who preceded him in death Feb. 15, 1965. He married Ruth Bugbee on April 19, 1966.

Mr. Christopher was a member of the F.& A. lodge No. 222 of Traverse City, the Grange, the Farm Bureau, and was active in horticulture, community and church affairs.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are ....... seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son and one grandson.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Martinson funeral home with Elder Jay Doty officiating. Burial will be in the Ogdensburg cemetery.

Harry and Eunice had the following CHILDREN:

1. Harry Morris CHRISTOPHER (Eunice Gardner) was born 13 May 1917 in Old Mission, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan. He died 9 Feb 1935 in Peninsula, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan, and was buried 16 Feb 1935 in Ogsdensburg Cemetery, Ogsdensburg, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.

DEATH of HARRY MORRIS:

"Traverse City Record Eagle," Traverse City, Michigan, Feb. 9, 1935:

Peninsula Boy Drowns in Bay as Ice Breaks:

Harry Morris Christopher, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christopher of the Peninsula and a student at Central high school, was drowned while skating near Ford Island shortly after noon today and at three o'clock this afternoon his body had not been recovered.

According to meager details received here Harry was skating with two companions. They went toward the island and encountered thin ice and were about to turn back when Harry and one companion broke through and Harry disappeared, while his companion was able to get back on solid ice. Harry did not come to the surface and his companions were powerless to rescue him.

The life saving boat kept in this city was taken to the scene of the accident by Sheriff Corek.. Members of the fire department and state police were also sent out. Scores of neighbors of the Christophers and residents along the bay shore have joined the search.

It is believed the body came to the surface beneath the ice.

A rumor spread quickly about this city that the ice in Bowers Harbor had broken sending 30 or more fishermen into the water. This, however, was quickly discredited although it caused general alarm in the city for some time.

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"Leelanau Enterprise," Lake Leelanau, Michigan, Feb. 21, 1935:

The funeral of Harry Christopher, the 17 year old Traverse City boy who drowned February 9, was held Saturday afternoon at the Ogdensburg church on the peninsula. Rev. B.H. Doty officiated.

The lad was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christopher of the Peninsula. He drowned while skating on Grand Traverse Bay.

2. Helen Opal CHRISTOPHER (Eunice Gardner) was born 31 Jul 1918 in Cedar, Leelanau Co., Michigan. She died 5 Jul 1994 in Peninsula, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan and was buried in Ogdensburg Cemetery, Peninsula Twp., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.

MARRIAGE of HELEN:

Helen married Floyd WELLS, son of Ernest WELLS and Nellie CAMPBELL, on 12 Oct 1936 in Odensberg (sic), Grand Traverse Co., Michigan. Floyd was born 28 Feb 1915 in Alma, Gratiot Co., Michigan. He died 7 Nov 1989 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan and was buried in Ogdensburg Cemetery, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.

DEATH of FLOYD:

"Traverse City Record Eagle," Traverse City, Michigan, Thursday, November 9, 1989:

Floyd Wells, Died Nov. 7, 1989, Old Mission:

Floyd Wells, 74, an Old Mission Peninsula cherry farmer, died Tuesday at Munson Medical Center.

He was a resident of Old Mission for 60 years. He belonged to the Ogdensburg Farm Bureau and the Pioneer Cherry Growers. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports.

Born Feb. 28, 1915, in Alma, he was the son of Ernest and Nellie (Campbell) Wells. On Oct. 10, 1936, in Ogdensburg, he married the former Helen Christopher, who survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Vernon.

Cremation has taken place. Private burial will be in Ogdensburg Cemetery. Local arrangements were made by the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be directed to Ogdensburg United Methodist Church or the Grand Traverse Area Hospice.

DEATH of HELEN:

"Traverse City Record Eagle" Traverse City, Michigan, Wednesday, July 6, 1994:

Helen Opal Wells, Died July 5, 1994,Traverse City:

Helen Opal Wells, 75, of Traverse City, died Tuesday at home.

A lifelong resident of Old Mission Peninsula, she was a member of Ogdensburg Farm Bureau and was a pioneer cherry farmer.

Born July 31, 1918, on Old Mission Peninsula, she was the daughter of Harry and Eunice (Gardiner) Christopher. On Oct. 10, 1936, in Old Mission, she married Floyd C. Wells, who preceded her in death in 1987.

She also was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Morris Christopher, and a grandson.....

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Ogdensburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Old Mission Legion Community Hall or Grand Traverse Area Hospice. Arrangements were made by the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.

3. Living GARDNER (Eunice Gardner)

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