David Kristo

David L. Kristo was a man of strong character, a dependable husband, father, and friend. He knew how to put others at ease and was more than willing to help where he saw a need. His personality won him many friends and he was always ready to contribute a story to make a point or enliven a gathering.

Born on November 28, 1938, in Spring Valley, Illinois, David was the oldest of Paul and Kathryn (Landes) Kristo's three children. He and his younger brother and sister were raised in DePue, Illinois. David grew up with a strong sense of responsibility and a great appreciation for nature. He was very involved with the boy scouts and was especially appreciative of the opportunity he had to canoe the Boundary Waters with them, loving the fresh air, the call of loons, and the whispering wind in the pines. He did well on DePue's high school basketball team, his height giving him an added advantage. He graduated from DePue and went on to attend Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

In grade school, David was likely very similar to all other little boys, paying little if any attention to the girls. Little did he know at that time that one of those young ladies would one day be his bride. He and Susan not only attended the same elementary school, but they also lived in the same neighborhood. They did not begin to date, however, until they were in college. After graduating from Bradley with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, David married that young girl he'd known for so long. On July 15, 1961, they were wed in St. Mary's Catholic Church in DePue.

The couple moved to Calumet City, Illinois, and then Lansing, Illinois. David then worked for U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana, as a supervisor. He was a member of the Iron and Steel Producers Society and served as chairman for a year. David retired in 1997 at the age of fifty-seven to be a primary caregiver for his daughter during a serious illness.

David made community service a priority. He was involved in civic groups and was a member of the Lansing, Illinois, Volunteer Fire Department for five years. He was an active member of the Lions Club and served as president in both Schererville, Indiana, and Fennville, Michigan.

David pursued everything he did with vigor and enthusiasm, including his hobbies. His love of the outdoors remained with him throughout his life. Every year he and a few friends would travel to Canada, landing on Roberts Lake in a seaplane and camping there for a week to fish. He was also excited about his chance to canoe the Boundary Waters again, this time with his sons. David enjoyed golf, crossword puzzles, and playing cards, especially bridge. He liked classical music and the opera. He also found time to travel and was particularly fond of the streets of Paris. He enjoyed strolling down the Champs-Elysees, admiring the awe-inspiring intricacies of Notre Dame and studying the remarkable architecture that permeates the City of Lights.

David enjoyed conversation and loved his group of java buddies in Saugatuck. They were dubbed the Butler Street Boys' Club and spent many hours together sipping coffee and discussing current events.

David is survived by Susan, his wife of forty-two years; two sons, David (Kathleen) Kristo of Germantown, Maryland, and Bryce (Sherrin) Kristo of Palatine, Illinois; one daughter, Mary (Brian) Campbell of Western Springs, Illinois; seven grandchildren; a sister, Jean, of Princeton, Illinois, and a brother, Martin, of San Clemente, California.

David passed away on January 13, 2004, at the Hospice House of Holland. He was sixty-five.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 16, 2004, at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Father Ronald Turcich, OSA officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass. Burial will be in DePue City Cemetery in DePue, Illinois. To read David's complete life story, share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Hospice House of Holland, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com. Arrangements are by the Saugatuck Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes.

David will be deeply missed, but his kindness, his generosity, and his passion for life endure as an example to all who knew him.