Obituary

Steele Lewis Christie, “”Christie””, was 92 years of age when he crossed over on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, to be with his wife, Edna Erle; his two sons Stanley and Patrick; and his granddaughter, Christie. After three weeks of declining health, Christie passed away at Houston Hospice in Houston, Texas. Christie began his life in Clymer, PA on January 3, 1920. He was involved in basketball, track, choir, and played the violin and trumpet. He graduated in 1938 and shortly afterwards started as a fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad.

He began his career firing in steam engines. He only worked a few years before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and became a crew chief on B-24s. He was assigned to the 85th Air Force Bomber Group, Army Air Corp Strategic Command (AACS). Shortly after enlisting he was stationed at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, Texas. In San Angelo, he met the love of his life, Edna Erle Beckham. They married on September 7, 1942, and remained married for 61 years. After the war, Christie returned to the railroad. Eventually, he became an engineer. He saw the changes in the railroad from the Pennsylvania to Penn Central to Conrail. He retired after 43 years. During retirement he became active in local politics as a commissioner of Vanport and then by serving on the water board. Also, he enjoyed working as a sacker for Giant Eagle in Rochester. However, until the day he died he dreamt of his two passions: playing basketball and engineering on the railroad.

Edna Erle and Christie had four children: David S. Christie of Tucson; Patrick E. Christie of Chippewa; Stanley G. Christie; and Vera E. Jacks of Spring, Texas. Christie was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Christie Jacks on October 2, 2012; his son, Patrick in 2002; his wife, Edna Erle in 2001; his grandson Bryan in 1974; and his son Stanley in 1958. Surviving family members include his son David and his wife Mary Catherine and his two grandsons, David Shayne and Ryan Patrick; his daughter-in-law Suzanne Christie, his three grandchildren Patrick Alan, Matthew Steele, and Jennifer, and his great grandchild Cassandra; his daughter Vera and her husband Art Jacks and his granddaughter Ashley.

Visitation for Steele L. Christie was Monday in the the Todd Funeral Home, 340 Third Street, Beaver. Interment was in Beaver Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with the wishes of Christie donations may be made to Texas Children’s Hospital. Please place in the memo line – Christie Jack’s Ewing Sarcoma Research Fund.