Gail P. Christ, age 69, of 600 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 15, 2002, surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with cancer and went home to be with his heavenly father.\r\nHe was born October 19, 1933 in the Town of Glencoe, Buffalo County, Wis., to Ralph and Lillian (Stevenson) Christ. He graduated from Lincoln Hill High School (Osseo-Fairchild High School) in 1952. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 10, 1953, serving in Korea until his honorable discharge, as a Corporal, on April 4, 1955.\r\nGail married Arlene C. Leland on July 16, 1955, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona. They made their home in Altoona until moving to Eau Claire in 1986. He was employed by the Altoona School District, and retired in 1991 from Uniroyal after 26 years. Gail and Arlene were caretakers of River Edge Apartments for 16 years.\r\nHe was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving several church council terms and positions. His hobbies included golf, dartball, and attending his children and grandchildren's activities.\r\nSurvivors include his wife of 47 years, Arlene; his children, Donald (Julie) Christ of Eleva, Kathy (Tim) Marko of Altoona, Thomas (Joni) Christ of Shell Lake, Judy (John) Meznarich of Altoona; foster son, Dale Carpentier of Tempe, AZ; nine grandchildren, Aaron Christ, Jessica, Kristina, and Joshua Marko, Sadie, Hanna, and William Christ, and David and Emma Meznarich; four sister-in-laws, Elaine (Gaylord) Sell, Joanne Christ, Judy (Richard) Sires, and Louise (James) Nyre; two stepsisters, Ione (Harris) Vold, and Pansy Loken; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.\r\nHe was preceded in death by a grandson, Shawn Gail Christ; his parents; stepmother, Mayme Christ; mother and father-in-law, William and Emma Leland; three brothers, Gerald (Lotus), Bernard, Ralph Jr. "Bud"; sister, Vivian (Carlos) Dorn; and brother-in-law, Paul (Pat) Leland.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona with the Rev. David Karolus officiating. Luncheon will be served immediately after the funeral service and burial to follow in the Eleva cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2002 at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.\r\nThe Christ family would like to thank Dr. Woodhouse and the Oncology department at Luther Midelfort, Northwest Wisconsin Homecare Hospice and nurse David Gunthert.\r\nMemorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church stained glass window fund.

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