Richard & Jane Christy

Richard Gerald Christy, age 89, and Jane Ann Christy, age 88, both of Spring Lake, passed away and met their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jane passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Spring Lake Township, and Dick went on to follow his bride and passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, also in Spring Lake Township. 

Dick was born June 27, 1935, to George and Ruby Christy in Cleveland, Ohio. Their family moved to Grant, Michigan when Dick was three years old. He attended Grant Public Schools, graduating in 1953. He excelled in sports, and through his high school career, earned 14 Varsity letters playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. After graduation, he attended Western Michigan University where he became a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in 1957, and in 1961, his Master’s degree in Education. 

Jane was born April 21, 1936, to Renold and Garnet Lindgren in Ravenna, Michigan. She attended Ravenna Public Schools, graduating in 1954. She loved music and becoming a teacher was her dream. She attended Western Michigan University, joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, and graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1958. 

Dick and Jane met via mutual friends in 1952, started dating, and continued together for all but six months while at Western Michigan. After Jane’s graduation, they moved to the Detroit area and both found teaching positions with Warren Consolidated Schools. They were married on August 6, 1960. 

Jane started her teaching career in elementary music at Beaver Elementary School. In 1981, she was promoted to High School Vocal Music Director for Sterling Heights High School. Following that promotion, Dick and Jane were thrilled to be in the same school for the first time in twenty years. Jane grew the vocal music program to include multiple choirs as well as starting annual high school musicals. She founded the Sterling Silver Show Choir in 1983, which was one of the first high school show choirs in the area. The group performed throughout Metro Detroit, as well as competing nationwide. Jane retired from teaching in 1995.  Throughout her career, she received many accolades for her choirs, and in her tenure, she was named Teacher of the Year for the school district. 

Dick started teaching elementary school physical education and coaching all sports at Hartsig Junior High School. He then moved to Sterling Heights High School when it opened in 1970 to teach physical education. He became the head boys’ basketball coach, where he continued for 27 years. Over those years, his teams won 10 league championships and six district championships totaling 410 victories. Dick received many accolades throughout his career for his coaching and for the success of his teams by the Macomb County Press, Detroit Free Press, and the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. He was inducted to all three of the Coaches Hall of Fame for basketball in the State of Michigan. 

Upon their retirement, Dick and Jane wintered in Florida and remained near their hometown living in Spring Lake. They were members of First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. They truly loved their travels, which included cruising in the Caribbean and Alaska, and adventuring throughout the United States, Europe, Bermuda, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. 

Dick and Jane will be lovingly remembered and missed by their children, Todd (Beth) Christy and Lisa (Mike) Christy-Zimmerman; grandsons, Will and Drew Christy; step-grandchildren: Eryk (Andrea), Jessica, and Hayden Zimmerman; Dick’s siblings, Donald (Karla) Christy and Judy (Fred) Convertini; and many nieces and nephews. 

They were preceded in death by their parents; and Dick’s brothers, George and Karrol Christy. 

The Memorial Service for Dick and Jane will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May, 10, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church (Grand Haven), with Rev. Kristine Aragon-Bruce officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Memorial Contributions in memory of Dick and Jane Christy may be made to “The Christy Family Scholarship” through the Michigan Dental Association Foundation (C\O MDA Foundation 3657 Okemos Rd., Suite 200, Okemos, MI, 48864).