RICHARD LAWRENCE CHRISTOPHER, 85, retired Elder of the Indiana Conference, died Saturday, June 22, 2013. A memorial service will be Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m. at the Franklin United Methodist Community, Wright Chapel in Franklin with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. A private graveside service will take place at South Mound Cemetery in New Castle, Indiana. Survivors include Alice Bishop Hopwood Christopher; daughters Carol (Lisa) Christopher of Noblesville, Ind., Beth Fuller of Tucson, Arizona and Laura (Chris) Wood of Muncie, Ind.; three step-daughters Sara (Phil) Edwards of Fortville, Ind., Mary (Dave) Peterson of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Martha (Kevin) King of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; step-son Ruben (Melanie) Hopwood of Cambridge, Maryland; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Send memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Street, Franklin, IN 46131 or to the Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 W. Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131. Send condolences to Alice Christopher, 1070 W. Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131. Christopher served churches in Richland, Fort Branch, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, New Castle, Noblesville, and Columbus; and was District Superintendent in the Vincennes and Indianapolis West Districts.
