Ê Born on a farm near Roselawn, Ind., ChristensenÊmarried Eleanor Schwerak in 1939.ÊElly and John produced five children, four now living:ÊWilliamÊ J.Ê Christensen (Laura), Columbus, Ohio;Ê Amy C. Fox, Bellaire;Ê Martha C. Rand (Thomas), Okemos; and Nancy E. Couyoumjian (Karl), Ann Arbor.ÊÊ Survived additionally by 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and nine spouses of children and grandchildren Ð a current family of 40, including Beth Pinkley, John's second wife whom he married in 1996 and her daughter Beth Anne (David) Barnhizer of Newport Coast, Calif.

Ê John graduated from DePauw University in 1935, studied and worked one year at accounting with General Electric, graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1939 and then practiced law for 59 years, seven with the Securities & Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Penn., and 52 years in private practice in Columbus, Ohio.ÊAs an attorney, John's reported most satisfying accomplishment was (along with the Solicitor General of the United States) arguing and winning a public utilities case before the United States Supreme Court in 1944 at the age of 30.

ÊÊ His other even more fulfilling achievement was marrying Elly, who gave him a full and rewarding first life, filled with wonderful children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and then, finally after losing her, finding Beth who provided him with an incomparable second life.ÊDuring his life, John was a farm boy for 13 years, a student from age five to 25, an attorney for 59 years, with pay, and finished out his life helping friends (pro bono) with estate planning, marital differences, financial problems with trusts, etc.Ê But, during that time, he also drove a freight truck three summers, served as camp man for a YWCA girls camp hauling garbage, taxiing the girls, teaching golf, horseback riding, hog calling and judging beauty contests (that's where he found Elly), took his family on 2 to 5 day river canoe trips, camping out in tents at night, and sailed Class E-Scows competitively for more than 30 years in Michigan.ÊDePauw was his avocation Ð that's were he met Beth.ÊJohn was a member of the Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Torch Lake Yacht & Country Club, DePauw University Board of Trustees (life member), officer and member of the board of several corporations, member of Indiana University Academy of Fellows, and while in school, was elected to Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, Order of the Coif and member of the 1931 Indiana All-State Debate Team.Ê Funeral services will be held at the Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1235 Northwest Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43212 on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.ÊÊ

The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. at the church.ÊIn lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to make contributions to their favorite churches or charities in his memory.ÊArrangements by Schoedingers Northwest Chapel,1 740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221.ÊVisit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences to the family.