Obituary of Donald P. Christian

Donald P. Christian, 92, of Boalsburg, formerly of Berks County, died Friday, January 18, 2019, at home.

Born May 6, 1926, in Reading, he was the son of the late Penrose F. and Jeannette Welder Christian. On May 24, 1952, he married Kathryn M. Link, who preceded him in death on November 23, 2006.

He is survived by a daughter, Linda P. Ciccotelli, of Philadelphia; two sons, Dr. Brian D. Christian and his wife, Cheri, of Boalsburg, and Keith E. Christian and his wife, Karen, of York; six grandchildren, Nickolas Ciccotelli and Elena Possumato, Devin and Rachel Christian, and Elizabeth and Sarah Christian; and two great-grandchildren, Madison and Julia Ciccotelli.

Donald was a 1944 graduate of Mt. Penn High School. He served during WWII in the U.S. Army in the Asian-Pacific theater. He was a Company Clerk in the 593rd Replacement Company stationed in Hawaii and Guam. He achieved the rank of Sergeant upon discharge in 1946.

After being discharged, he attended Delaware Valley College, Doylestown and received a Bachelor's Degree in Ornamental Horticulture in 1950. He worked as a floral designer in Reading, Abington, Lansdale and Warminster, PA and in Spring Hill, FL. His passion was flowers and plants, and he could still recite the Latin and common names of hundreds of flowers and shrubs.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of State College, and sang in their choir for many years after retiring to Boalsburg. He was also an avid gardener at the church, planting more than a thousand bulbs on the property, and dozens of perennials and annuals. He was recently honored as a "Home Town Hero" at a Penn State basketball game in December.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m., on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, with the Reverend Scott Schul officiating.

Burial will be in Schwarzwald Cemetery, Jacksonwald, Berks County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801 or to the Nittany Valley Symphony, 270 Walker Drive #102 E, State College, PA 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.