Ronald “Red” G. Christman, 90, Luxemburg, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was born on December 18, 1929 in Stangelville to the late John C. and Laura C. (Seidl) Christman.
Ron graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1947, after which he drove gravel truck for his father, eventually purchasing the truck.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. After incurring a back injury during service, he spent a year at the Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, MI where doctors told him to never get into a truck again.
He denied their advice and went on to log six million miles over the course of 60 years as an owner-operator and later as employee for local trucking operations.
He hauled cheese to the West Coast for many years.
In between the years of trucking where he took a break, he worked in the shop for Taylor Trucking in Sheboygan, of which Ron was part owner. It was at this time he met his future wife, Rita Ann Stodola, and they were married on September 8, 1973 at St. Joseph Church in Pilsen.
Aside from being on the road so often, he still found time to take his family on annual vacations spanning most of the U.S.
He was proud to show off his showcases of collectible trucks which he built and acquired over the years.
Ron also enjoyed building model ships from scratch, including the SS United States, which took several years to complete.
In his retirement years he became an avid reader holding particular interest in historical non-fiction.
Ron was a member of St. Therese Parish, St. Joseph-St. John Site in Pilsen and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Rita; four children, Brian Christman, Denmark; Rebecca (Richard) Brohammer, IL; Kim (Jim) Lindsley, Green Bay; Adam Christman, CO; six grandchildren, Hannah, Ava, Ben, Alison, Charlotte and Brendan; one sister and one brother in law, Lorraine (Pete) Klarkowski, Green Bay; one sister in law, Felicidad Christman, Green Bay.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters in law, Elmer (Eleanore) Christman; Allen (Jean) Christman, Lloyd Christman; and his pet cat of 17 years, Cheetoh, who passed just a month before him.
Due to the Covid-19 virus concerns, a private family funeral was held at St. Therese Parish, St. Joseph-St. John site, Pilsen, with Rev. Dennis Drury officiating and Christal Wavrunek assisting.
Burial in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Stangelville with full military rites at graveside provided by the American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262, Luxemburg.
McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG is assisting the Christman Family.
