Reta O. Christman

Reta O. Christman, age 99, of State Route 29A Stratford, New York, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday evening, July 29th, 2020 at Foltsbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Herkimer, New York.

Reta was born on March 5th, 1921 in Greene, New York and was the daughter of the late, Hurbert and Carrie (Hotchhiff) Palmer She was the middle child of nine children and their family moved to Newport, New York when she was starting high school. Reta attended Newport High School and graduated with honors with the Class of 1939.

On June 29, 1940, Reta was united in marriage to James E. Christman who was from Grant, New York. Reta and Jim raised their two children, David and Judith in a loving home. The couple shared a loving union of 54 years until Jim passed away in 1994.

Reta and Jim lived in Newport, New York for 14 years, then moved to Stratford, New York when they purchased the Bliss Kibbe General Store from Marshal Bigellman in 1954. They had a wonderful life in Stratford. James ran the store and Reta became the Postmaster of the Stratford Post Office in 1957. Jim enjoyed being a general store proprietor and Reta kept the books for the store and operated the post office.

She enjoyed sewing, knitting and quilting, as well as oil painting where she mostly concentrated on creating nature scenes. In 2000, Reta published a book of her paintings and poetry called “Treasures of the Heart”. Reta a became an avid bowler where she met several friends and won many local and state championships. Her husband Jim often sponsored the team and attended the tournaments with her.

Reta was a faithful church-goer and also sang in the choir. Reta was entrusted with the keys and care of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Stratford, New York, when it closed due to lack of a minister. When Reverend Martin Smith and his wife Mary moved to Stratford to be pastor of the church, Reta was pleased to attend and become an active member again.

Reta is survived by her beloved children, a son, J. David Christman and his wife, Janet of Salisbury, NY and a daughter, Judith A. Snowman Dinges, and her husband, Wolfgang of Stratford NY and Fort Myers, FL; her loving grandchildren, Sharon Christman Baisley and her husband, Glen of Dolgeville NY, Laurie A Christman Sweeney and husband, Andrew of Brandon, FL, Colleen C. Christman D’Mello and husband, Brett of Sebastian FL., Jeanne M. Christman Stoner and husband, Scott of Farmington, NY, David Eric Snowman of Fort Myers, FL, Christine Snowman of Schenectady, NY, Mark E. Snowman and wife, Colleen of Fort Myers, FL.; granddaughter in law, Roxanne Snowman of Salisbury NY; cherished great-grandchildren,  Anna M. Reinke, Grace Reinke, Ellie Reinke, Glen Daniel Baisley, James C Baisley, Christopher Michael Snowman, Brendan Snowman, Laikyn Snowman. Carson Snowman and Addison Snowman; great-great grand daughter, Emma Catherine Snowman

Reta was predeceased by two beloved grandchildren, Christopher Snowman and Carrie Snowman.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Salisbury Rural Cemetery with Pastor Martin Smith, of Lighthouse Baptist Church officiating.. All are welcome to attend calling hours and the graveside service. Due to current health conditions, please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing. There will be a celebration of Reta Christman’s life next summer and everyone is invited. We will publish the date time and place early next summer.

Please consider memorial contributions for the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 1524 State Highway 29A, Stratford, New York 13470 or the Dolgeville Food Pantry, c/o Edythe Darling, Tres., 464 Shedd Road, Dolgeville, New York 13329.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Christman family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the guest book.

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