May 22, 2008

Christopher Paul Girdner was born on July 6, 1985 in Rolla, Mo., and died on February 11, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla. Chris served with the 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army, from February 2003 until July 2006, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was a construction worker. He was baptized at St. Francis Anglican Church, Ava, Mo., in 1994. Chris was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Voyne Brooke, paternal grandparents, Kermit and Leonore Girdner, his Aunt Patty Totzke, and cousin, Austin Brooke. Survivors include his son, Gunner Joseph, Tallahassee, Fla.; parents, David and Lynne Girdner, Hopkinsville, Ky., and Phyllis Girdner, Windyville, Mo.; his brothers, Richard Girdner, also of Windyville, and Eddie and Abby Houston, Springdale, Ark.; sisters, Lori and Scott Miller, Fayetteville, Ark., and Lisa and Mike Seachord, Hopkinsville, Ky.; his maternal grandmother, Pauline Brooke, Windyville, Mo.; uncles and aunts, Paul and Helen Totzke, St. Joseph, Mich., Harold and Marcia Davis, Van Buren, Ark., and Phillip Brooke, Ava, Mo.; nephews, Phillip, Jason, and Chris of Fayetteville; cousins, Preston and Wendy Brooke, Jarred and Tyler, Ava, Michael and Angela Brooke, Marshfield, Mo., Leota, Shawn, and Kara Brooke, Isabella, Mo., Brooke Davis, Springfield, Mo., Brian, Lisa, and Scott Totzke, Schaumberg, Ill., and Pam and Keith Miller of Racine, Wisc.; as well as many other relatives and friends, including special family friend, Adam Fruits, Springfield, Mo. A graveside memorial service will be held at Whites Creek Cemetery, located east of Ava, Mo., at 2 p.m. May 24, 2008, with Jeff Corder officiating. Immediately following the service, family and friends will be meeting at Star Chapel Church for lunch and visiting. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to Whites Creek Cemetery, c/o cemetery board member Preston Brooke, P.O. 1822, Ava, MO 65608. Richardson Mortuary, Tallahas¬see, Fla., has been in charge of services.