May 1, 2006 2 min read

John W. “Bill” Christner, age 88, of Dawson, Pa., died Saturday morning, April 29, 2006, in his home. He was born in Lower Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pa., on August 25, 1917, the son of John Ray Christner and Margaret Sullenberger Christner.

“Bill” was a member of the Dawson Baptist Church where he was a Life Deacon.

He served with the United States Army in the 38th Cyclone Division, 152nd Infantry, in the South Pacific, Luzon Campaign in the Philippines.

During his military career he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Star and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 301 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 21 both in Connellsville, Pa.

“Bill” had been employed as a Track Foreman and Equipment Operator by the B&O Railroad and retired in 1979 with 36 years service.

He was a Past Master of the James Cochran Lodge No. 614 F. & A. M., the Uniontown Lodge of Perfection and the Council Chapter Consistory of Pittsburgh, Pa., and was a member of the Dawson Council for four years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Margaret Blanche Keffer Christner, and a sister, Ora Catherine Christner Lape.

Surviving are a sister, Esther Belle Swank of Dawson, Pa.; five brothers: Duane Christner and his wife, Priscilla, of Dawson, Pa., Ellis Howard Christner and his wife, Mildred, of Dawson, Pa., Carl Eugene Christner and his wife, Eunice, of Brunswick, Ohio, Ralph Leroy Christner and his wife, Irma Laverne, of Dawson, Pa., and George David Christner and his wife, Janice, of LaPlata, Maryland.

Friends will be received in the RALPH E. GALLEY FUNERAL HOME, Railroad and Laughlin streets, Dawson, Pa., today, May 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, May 3, until 11 a.m., the hour of the Service. Officiating minister will be the Rev. Chip Norton.

Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville, Pa., where Military Honors and Rites will be accorded.

James Cochran Lodge No. 614 F. & A. M. will conduct a Service in the Funeral Home on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

The pearly gates were opened,

A gentle voice said, “Come”.

And with farewells unspoken,

He gently entered Home.