Evans Funeral Home
314 E Main St
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: 419-668-1469
Website: http://www.norwalkfuneral.com/obituaries.php
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Harold Elmer Christel, age 95, peacefully passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center.
Harold was born on May 20, 1928 in Norwalk at the home of his parents, Elmer and Sarah (Drew) Christel, on North Garden Street.
A lifelong Norwalk resident, he graduated from Norwalk High School in 1946 and worked at Kohlmyer's Hardware until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Mannheim, Germany from 1950-52. Upon returning to Norwalk, Harold was hired by Crow Lumber Company, later Home Lumber Company, where he worked for the next 56 years, eventually becoming co-owner. He found great fulfillment in his profession and loved advising customers on their building projects. He helped secure the lumberyard property as the site of the new Norwalk fire station and was very proud of the way his hometown came together to build it in 2018.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Adele (Niederwimmer) Christel, and their four children and 13 grandchildren: Tom of Bay Village (Sarah, Abby and Tommy); Carol (Christel) and Tom Bowling of Dayton (Adele, Joey, Caitlin, Sophia, James and Joshua); Joan of Waltham, MA; and John and Karley of Bay Village (Anna, Nora, Drew and Emma). He is also survived by his brother Robert (Lois), nephew Mark (Barb), niece Beth and many other extended family members.
Harold was a lifelong member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norwalk and a regular attendee of Church of the Open Door in Elyria.
The fact that Harold lived in only two houses his entire life belied his enthusiasm for travel, as he logged many miles taking his family on road trips across the United States. He loved nothing more than a nice long drive with his wife through the countryside, where he always found something interesting to see. He had a deep appreciation for well-designed buildings and enjoyed pointing out unique architectural details. Harold eagerly followed the local news, was a voracious reader of business magazines and newspapers, and enjoyed attending area theater productions. Family time at Lakeside Chautauqua was always a highlight.
He loved God, his wife and family, his country, his work, and his hometown, all of which brought him great joy. In his final years he would often comment, "it's been a great life" - and it was, indeed.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 East Main Street, and on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 243 Benedict Avenue. Interment with military honors will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 200 Woodlawn Avenue.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Harold and Adele Christel Scholarship at the Endowment Fund for Norwalk City Schools, https://endowmentfundnorwalk.org/, or the food ministry of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church to benefit local residents in need.
