Christabel J. "Chris" Zemke

Christabel Jane "Chris" Zemke, age 88, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord & Savior as well as her children on Tuesday morning, April 12, 2016 at the Evergreen Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Emmett Township, Michigan on August 15, 1927, the daughter of Vernon K. and Lula M. (Gehring) Manning. Chris graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1945 and furthered her education at Kellogg Community College. She worked her entire adult life as an insurance agent and tax preparer at Mutual Savings and with Dr. W. Howard Goff.

Chris fell in love and married Reinhold Paul "Ron" Zemke on December 24, 1966; he sadly preceded her in death on June 11, 2011. She is survived by her step-daughter, Denise D. Zemke of Montana; her two step-sons; Paul R. (Barbara) Zemke of California and Philip A. (Leila) Zemke of Montana; 9 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, and a sister, Joyce M. McGlocklin of Battle Creek. Chris was also preceded in death by 2 sons, James Michael Bess, Patrick McAllister, and a daughter, Amy McAllister.

Chris was a member of the Battle Creek Kennel Club and the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where she was active in the Martha Circle and worked in church Food Pantry. She enjoyed Happy Musicals, reading, and various types of arts & crafts, including counted cross-stitch and knitting.

The Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 16th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, where friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or the Battle Creek Kennel Club Scholarship Fund C/O The Battle Creek Community Foundation. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Chris may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com