Mother's Memorial Link provided by Find a Grave Contributor, Martha Chrisman Riley #48434948

On Nov. 15, 2009, at her home in Mountain View, Mo., Erika Jane Chrisman-Mortyn was united forever with her Lord whom she had always loved dearly in this life. She died suddenly in her mother's arms. Her life verse was: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." (Psalms 119:32). Erika was born in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 27, 1977, and she lived in various parts of the United States as well as overseas. She graduated from Lima Christian School near Rochester, N.Y., in 1994. Then she attended Elim Bible Institute for one year and went on to graduate in 1999 from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., near Chicago with a degree in Christian education and ministry. Erika then served as a missionary in Edinburgh, Scotland. In September of 2008, she moved to Mountain View, Mo., from Huntington, W.Va., where she had cared for her grandparents for a time. Erika had hoped to own land and set up homesteading somewhere in the Ozarks and she had begun with a beautiful organic garden. She loved gardening and the beauty of nature and had an intuitive capacity to encourage growth in flowers and vegetables. For years, Erika had been involved in the arts as a part of her Christian ministry, especially in the use of mime and dance. She was remarkably creative and also enjoyed the visual arts and writing prose and poetry. She loved to share her faith in her precious Lord Jesus. Erika's life was marked by purity and humility. At her baptism at age 7, it was said that she would be "a woman of discernment," and she did indeed have wisdom beyond her years, however, her primary ambition in life was to love. This ambition was fulfilled as she had a deep capacity to express love. Erika was a young woman with winsome ways, a tender spirit and compassionate heart. Her zeal for truth and her capacity to communicate truth in love won her the confidence of many folks. Erika's mother, Karla covets your prayers as the family grieves for the sudden and untimely death of Erika. Though she is gloriously happy in heaven, her passing is a great loss and she is irreplaceable to those who love her. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Richard Chrisman and great-aunt Hazel Chrisman both originally from Madison County, Ky.; her Australian grandparents Donald and Constance Mortyn as well as her four great-uncles Fred, Norman, Zane and Bob Staker all originally from Kermit, W.Va. She is survived by her parents, Karla Chrisman (who was her dearest earthly friend) originally from Kentucky and only recently living in Mountain View, Mo., and Francis Mortyn ("Daddy Frank" whom she loved dearly) originally from Australia and now living in San Diego, Calif., for many years; two brothers Russell and Graham Mortyn and wife Patrizia, both originally from California (Russell now living in San Diego, Calif., and Graham now living in Spain); beloved grandmother, Virginia Staker Chrisman ("Gigi") originally from West Virginia and only recently living in Mountain View, Mo.; great-uncle Don and his wife Patsy Staker and great-aunt Sue Staker all living in Huntington, W.Va.; nieces Charlene and Claudia Mortyn of San Diego, Calif.; niece Elisa and nephew Tommaso Mortyn of Spain; and numerous dear cousins. Karla would like to thank everyone who was able to come to the graveside service. Thanks also to Roland and Tammi Yarber and their family who took Karla into their home for the week following Erika's death and to Karla's close friend Anne Gaderowski who drove for days to come and stay with her for a time. Karla was so grateful that Erika's "Daddy Frank" and brother Russell were able to come from California. The family also appreciated the incredibly sensitive and thoughtful message which Pastor Brian Ingalls delivered at the service. Finally, thanks to the Duncan Funeral Homes, LLC for their incredible generosity and flexibility to allow this somewhat unusual family to have the best possible experience during this time of grief. They all went way out of their way to truly serve our unique needs. Graveside services were held Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Mountain View, Mo., with the Pastor Brian Ingalls officiating under the direction of Duncan Funeral Homes, LLC of Mountain View, Mo.