Christena VanFossen

Mama just wanted to go home.  Her prayers were answered October 8, 2010, when she went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 93 years, 9 months and 8 days.  Before moving to Summit Acres Nursing Home in Caldwell, she made her home with her son and daughter-in-law David and Faith VanFossen.

She loved her family, many friends, growing flowers and gardening.  She loved to help others through encouraging notes, cards and phone calls.  Her giving spirit extended to her final days by assisting a blind fellow resident as they ate together.  Her reputation as a “hugger” and her sweet spirit were known through the staff, residents and visitors to Summit Acres.  She loved to read the Bible, having come to know its author as a young girl on Caywood Road.  Mama, in life you taught us how to live and in death you taught us how to die.  You showed us the way home.  We’ll be along soon.

She is survived by 3 daughters:  Carolyn (Everett) Lauer of Marietta, Shirley (James) Crum of Whipple, Ellen (Bill) Baker of Marietta; 2 sons:  Lloyd (Judy) VanFossen of Marietta and David (Faith) VanFossen of Cambridge, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and her next door neighbor and great friend Virginia Williamson.   

Christena was preceded in death by her parents, Christian J. and Bashabe Holiday Erb; 3 brothers:  Cecil Holiday, Clarence Erb and Jacob C. Erb; 2 sisters:  Helen Neville and Laura Erb, son-in-law Everett Lauer,  granddaughter Christine Baker and  grandson-in-law Craig Russell.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Kaiser officiating.  Burial will be Salem Township Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 4:00 pm on Monday.