Christine Filstrup Wyngarden

Christine Filstrup Wyngarden, age 66, died on Friday, November 30, 2007, following a courageous battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A Celebration of Life service will be held 3:00P.M., Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Msgr. Eugene Sears and Rev. Robert Braman officiating. Friends may call on the family from 5:00 – 8:00P.M., Tuesday, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends wishing to send a condolence message online may do so in the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com She was born October 5, 1941 in St. Joseph, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis and Frances May (Patton) Filstrup. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, 1959 and then went on to Purdue University where she graduated in 1963 with a bachelor degree as a Speech and Hearing Therapist. She was a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. She returned to St. Joseph and founded the Piper Pre-School, she was dedicated to the support of Child Advocacy and Child Welfare. Her next step was as Executive Director of the YWCA in St. Joseph where she eventually became the Director of the Child Development Center, dedicating 15+ years of touching the lives of countless children, She is survived by her brother Thomas Filstrup (Diane), her four children: Brett Wyngarden (Kimberly), Geoffrey “Bubba” Wyngarden (Jennifer), Bowen Wyngarden (Narcisa “Nana”) and Michelle Sieber (Jason), her four grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as “Bugga”: Sydney and Mia Wyngarden, Kai-Michael Wyngarden and Jillian Sieber, her special friend Bruce Conybeare, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, extended family and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Frances May Filstrup and her late husband Michael David Wyngarden. Christine’s life was about everything that surrounded her – family, friends and the beach. Anyone that met her became an instant friend. She believed everyone should “Work Hard, Play Hard, and Laugh ‘Til It Hurts”. She will be remembered because she was truly happy giving to others, she encouraged everyone to be active in their town and community, she felt people and our relationships with them enrich our lives, most of all she enjoyed every moment. Memorial donations can be made to: ALS of Southwestern Michigan and Hospice of Southwestern Michigan.