Christian Joseph Schlegel

September 9, 1920 ~ April 4, 2023

Our Dad, Christian J Schlegel (Chris), passed away on April 4th, 2023. He was born on September 9, 1920, in Washougal WA.

Chris was born to Christian and Otillia Schlegel and raised on the family farm. He attended a one room schoolhouse in the Sunnyside district north of Washougal. During the depression years he went to work taking care of livestock at a farm on Lacamas Lake. Later, he went to work at the Camas paper mill until he joined the Army during World War 2.

Serving as an Army medic, he landed on Omaha Beach and participated in the Battle of the Bulge where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war he returned home to Washougal and to work at the Camas mill.

In April of 1947 he married Joan Chandler, and together they built a home on the old Schlegel farm where they raised their family of five children and lived for over 50 years.

Chris was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He worked as a volunteer at the St. Vincent De Paul food pantry in Vancouver until he was over 100 years old. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was active in the Old Time Fiddlers Association playing his guitar and fiddle at the County fair and numerous events throughout Clark County.

Chris was preceded in death by his wives, Joan Schlegel (Chandler) and Ethel (Riggs), his brothers Joe and Fred Schlegel and sister Marie Godsil. he is survived by his sister, Stella (Dayton) Smedley, children, Stephen Schlegel (Ginger), Theresa Blodgett (Ed), David Schlegel (Linda), Rita Carroll (Jerry), Jim Schlegel (Lee Ann), 14 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on April 18th at St. Joseph Church in Vancouver preceded by the rosary. A reception will be held after the funeral followed by Burial at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Washougal.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Saint Vincent De Paul food Bank.