Arthur Eugene “Pete” Christopher, 89, of Smithville died Sunday, April 26, 2020 at Autumnwood Care Center in Rittman after a period of declining health.
Arthur was born in Kenmore on June 19, 1930 to the late Sidney and Gladys (Baker) Christopher and was a 1949 graduate of Burbank High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 – 1953 and received the Purple Heart for injuries received in the War. On Aug. 9, 1953 he married the former Mary Swartz and they shared nearly 67 wonderful years together. Pete retired from the Daily Record in 1995 after 45 years of service and served on the Smithville Volunteer Fired Dept. for 28 years having served as Squad Captain and as Assistant Fire Chief. He was an active member of the Smithville United Methodist Church for 50 years having held various offices and served as an usher and a money counter. Pete loved sports and had participated in his younger years as well as in later years umpired and refereed and he will truly be missed.
Surviving are his wife, Mary; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Marlin Nicol of Orrville; granddaughters and their spouses, Lindsey and Mark Barrow, Meredith Nicol, Chelsi and David Bermejo and Natalie and Luke West; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Packard of Burbank and Patricia and husband Dean Humrichouser of Shreve and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Jan Huntz in 2018; a sister Maxine Wright and a brother, Larry Christopher.
Private family services will be held on Thursday at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with Rev. Carolyn Berry officiating. Burial will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friend and family are welcome to pay their respects and sign the register on Wednesday, April 29th between 4-8 p.m. with the family not in attendance. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com Memorial contributions may be made to Smithville United Methodist Church, PO Box 375, Smithville, OH 44677 or to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster, OH 44691.
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