John Lewis Christner, 94, of Burlington and formerly of the Kalona community, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington surrounded by his loving family.
John was born on April 20, 1932, in Kalona, the son of Elam and Nettie (Swartzendruber) Christner. John was united in marriage to Nellie M. Bachmann on June 28, 1953, at the East Union Mennonite Church. She preceded him in death on. September 27, 2007. John later married Marilyn Hiatt on July 11, 2009, at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church.
John was a longtime farmer in the Kalona area. For many years he owned and operated a corn shelling business until he lost his arm in a farming accident. He later became a salesman for Moorman Feed.
He was one of the founding members of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church where he enjoyed teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, being a deacon, treasurer, bus captain and soul-winner. After moving to Burlington, he became a member of the Heritage Baptist Church where he continued to serve faithfully in many different capacities. He also enjoyed planting flowers and tending to his yard.
Those thankful for sharing in his life are his wife, Marilyn, his son, Steve (Sally) Christner of Turner, Maine, a daughter, Joyce (Terry) Anglea of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and another daughter, Heidi (Brad) Cranston, of Burlington, Iowa, 18 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, (with one great, great grandchild on the way!), his sister, Eudora Mullet of Kalona, Iowa, and his brother, Leo Christner of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was blessed to share his life with his four stepchildren and their families, Jim (Patricia) Hiatt of Fairfield, Linda (Chris) Von Wiesenthal of Cyprus, Texas, Margaret (Mick) Schneider of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and Marcia (Dacid) Wagner of Burlington, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nellie, and one brother, Cecil Christner.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa. Burial will follow in the Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Heritage Baptist Church of Burlington, Iowa.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at murphyfuneralandmonuments.com.
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of John.