February 28, 2005 Posted: 3-10-2005 Oceanas Herald Journal
Christmann, Harley W., 79, of Ferry Township, Hart, passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. He was born Oct. 8, 1925 in Shelby, the son of Joseph and Blanche (Hallack) Christmann. He married Amy Clevenger Feb. 24, 1951. She passed away June 29, 1995. Mr. Christmann was a life long resident and lived on the family centennial farm. He had been employed at the John Rickert and Vernon Bull farms and farmed all during that time on his own farm. He grew fruit and vegetables and Christmas trees and had beef and dairy cattle. He is survived by his children, Cheryl (Jerry) Powers of Orlando, Fla., Allen (Beccy) Christmann of Phoenix, Ariz.,, Mark (Sharon) Christmann of Glendale, Ariz., Karen (Jerry) Schaner of Hart, Erwin (Laura) Christmann of Ludington, and Anita (Rick) Anderson of Hart; brother, Roger Christmann of Hart; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Joyce Dalrymple. The funeral service was Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m. at Shelby United Methodist Church in Shelby with Pastor Peggy Boltz and Pastor Tom Boehne officiating. The committal service was conducted by Father Ron Schneider. Interment will be in Oceana Center Cemetery. Memorials to the Alzheimers Association or the church of your choice are appreciated. Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby.
*Posted: 3-10-2005
Granddaughter, boyfriend charged in Harley Christmann murder
Lori Anne Christmann, 27, and her boyfriend Adam Clyde Eschman, 21, are in the Oceana County Jail, charged with killing Christmann's grandfather, Harley Christmann last Monday, Feb. 28. The elder Christmann, of Ferry Township, was found dead by his son-in-law Jerry Schaner of Hart at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 1. Harley Christmann had a single-gunshot wound to the chest, said Oceana Sheriff's Department Lt. Buzz Angell. "The evidence leads us to believe that Lori Christmann was in fact the person who actually fired the shot," Angell said. Angell indicated the motive for entering the residence was robbery, saying police recovered many of Harley Christmann's personal items, but neither he nor Oceana County Prosecutor Terry Shaw would elaborate. "It's my ethical obligations," Shaw said. "They're pretty tight on me as to what I should say or not say." Police arrested Lori Christmann, of 215 S. State St., Hart, and Eschman later that same day. Court records indicate Eschman's address as 451 N. 48th Ave., Mears, but Angell said Eschman was living with Christmann at the State Street address. They were arraigned separately in 78th District Court in Hart March 2, and charged with three counts: open murder, felony murder, and felony firearm. Christmann was also charged with being a habitual offender. Bond was denied on both. "We're sure going to miss him," said Harley Christmann's childhood friend Clint Hallack. "He was more like a brother. I guess that happens, but you don't expect it next door." The Hallack and Christmann family farms bordered each other, Clint said, and even today the two lived just a half mile apart. "We've lived next to each other all our lives," Hallack said. "Played together, worked together and gallivanted around together. I guess we cruised around as young boys. We'd go boating and whatever." Harley Christmann also was a groomsmen in Hallack's 1952 wedding to wife, Nancy. "I'm sure that the whole neighborhood is going to miss him," Hallack said. "He was well liked. I never heard him say anything bad about anybody." Christmann also was a long-time Oceana Center Grange member and served as master on several occasions, but his involvement waned in recent years. "He was a golden chief member," said current Grange Master Gordon Merten. "I really don't know what to say about him. He was always a good man. I never seen him get upset. He always had a smile on his face, always friendly." Harley Christmann continued to take part in the annual Grange Penny Fair and the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Merten said. Harley also was instrumental in getting square dances started when the Grange used to have them. Eschman's and Lori Christmann's preliminary hearings in District Court are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. next Monday, March 14. The murder is the fourth the Oceana County Sheriff's Department has investigated since last summer.