Christopher N. Grossnickle

Christopher Neil Grossnickle, age 56 of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, was released into the loving arms of Jesus, his Savior, after a short and courageous fight against a rare infection on July 27, 2024, at Henry Ford Hospital surrounded by his loving and devoted family. Chris was born the son of Randolph N. Grossnickle and Anne Marie Kaskinen Chapman on January 31, 1968, in Onekama, MI. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Karen E. Horwood, on September 28, 1996, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Chris was a 1986 graduate of Clare High School and attended Central Michigan University. He worked in the hospitality industry for 38 years with most of his time as a Catering Manager and later as a Retail Manager. He was a key member of the Embers Restaurant and Aramark (Central Michigan University) Catering teams. He was working as a Retail Supervisor for Chartwells at CMU at the time of his death. Chris loved his wife and children infinitely and was exceptionally proud of them in all ways possible. He was always looking for a new family adventure. His presence and interest in his children’s lives and activities were important to him. He loved having his family together around a good fire or a bountiful table. Chris was a good man who valued hard work, loved organization, and a good schedule. Chris had grown in his faith and was motivated by his love of the Lord. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Chris had a great love of all things outdoors – including hunting, fishing, hiking, watching birds and butterflies, a good thunderstorm, and sitting around a beautiful fire watching the night sky with all of its wonder. Chris was an avid sports and music fan – Michigan Wolverines and the Detroit Tigers were among his favorite sports teams. He was named an All-State Class C Football Player and is a member of the Clare High School Hall of Fame for his football and baseball careers. Chris loved to cook and loved serving others by filling them with his wonderful dishes. Chris had an infectious smile, a unique sense of humor, and loved to tell stories. Chris’ siblings have fond memories of him enjoying being close to the earth as he was ultra passionate about planning and participating in anything hunting or fishing related. He cherished the bonding love and camaraderie created from those special family adventures. Chris is survived by his wife of 28 years, Karen; four children, Sophia, Evan, Lydia, and Emma Grossnickle; his mother and step-father, Anne Marie and Bert Chapman (Edisto Beach, South Carolina) and father, Randolph Grossnickle (Kaleva, Michigan); his sister, Nadine (Jackie Butts) Grossnickle (Florence, Kentucky); brother, Marc (Bridget) Grossnickle (Thompsonville, Michigan); half-sister, Amanda Cecilio (Traverse City, Michigan); sister-in-law, Kimberly (Gary) Bussell; nieces, Hannah (Paul) Kurtzman and Nora Grossnickle and nephew, Max Hofweber. He is survived by many aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncle, and cousins. Chris was preceded in death by his in-laws, R. William and Janice Horwood and grandparents, Norm and Martha Kaskinen and Levon and Mary Alice Grossnickle. A Celebration of Chris’ life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on Saturday, August 10, 2024, with a memorial service officiated by Reverand Larry Wright at 11:00 am and luncheon/visitation from 12:30 pm to 4:00 p.m. We ask that those attending bring loving and happy stories of time spent with Chris to share and celebrate his life. In true fashion for Chris’ love of the Michigan Wolverines and his time spent in the Central Michigan University Community, the family asks that you wear maize, blue, maroon and/or gold in his honor to the celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a scholarship fund to be held at Edward Jones (100 W. Main Street, Gaylord, MI, 49735, Christopher Grossnickle Memorial) in Chris’ name to go to a student/athlete from a local high school. Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home of Clare is caringly assisting with arrangements.

Christopher N. Grossnickle

January 31, 1968 - July 27, 2024