Obituary of Chris Lee Wuethrich, Jr.

Chris Lee Wuethrich, Jr., 60, of Troy, IL went to his Heavenly home in the arms of Jesus on October 30, 2023.  He battled the enemy of cancer for seven months and took his last breath in the comfort of his home while being surrounded and cared for by his loving wife and children.  Chris grew up loving farm life with his dear parents, three brothers and two sisters.  He especially loved working with the hog operation. Chris was always seeking to learn more and continually researching, designing, and planning to improve the business.  He graduated from West Central High School in 1981 and enjoyed music.  He played trumpet in the band and the bass guitar after school and on weekends with his buddies.  Chris loved going to Sunday school as a little boy, not knowing that he would marry the little girl with long blonde hair who sat on the bench in front of him.  Carla J. Gutwein became his high school sweetheart at the age of 17.  After graduation, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in 1981 in the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville, Indiana.  In 1982, he married his only and forever Carla, the daughter of Carl and Yvonne Gutwein.  After three years of marriage and having a sweet baby boy, Chris attended Purdue University and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and Finance.  He taught Sunday school all four years of college, and after graduation he moved back to Francesville with his wife, little boy, and new baby girl.  Chris and Carla were blessed with five beautiful children and experienced the loss of a little baby girl at 4 ½ months through miscarriage.  Chris centered his career loving agriculture, being a Grain Merchandiser for over 30 years and transitioned in the last four years to sales with a subsurface drip irrigation company.  Chris was called to the ministry in 1991 and had the privilege to preach the gospel in four different churches over the last 32 years.  The ultimate blessing arose in the last two years when he became the elder and shepherd of his beloved St. Louis Church.  To preach the truth, show the love of Jesus, accepting everyone unconditionally while adding humor and storytelling in the mix was who God made Chris to be and he loved doing this!  Not only did Chris center his life on serving his church; his children and family meant everything to him.  Each child was truly precious, and he loved all the in-laws just like his own.  His grandchildren were so loved by silly (and sometimes grumpy) Grandpa.  He could fix anything. The kids always knew they could call their dad for help, and he would be there for them.  This devotion and love of being a dad was his greatest calling and reward; for it was through his children he learned more about loving, and more about Christ.  It refined and polished his ministry; it opened the door to the Holy Spirit’s teaching of loving as Jesus loved.  It was through his children that he learned more about the gospel and what it means to walk in the light as he is in the light and love no matter what.  This was the complete fulfillment and joy in his life.

Chris is survived by:

Carla J. [Gutwein] Wuethrich, Troy, IL Wife

Levi (Kyann) Wuethrich, Wadsworth, OH Son

Meagan (Brad) Frank, LaCrosse, IN Daughter

Landon (Hannah) Wuethrich, Burlington, IA Son

Marissa Wuethrich, Chicago, IL Daughter

Cambria Wuethrich, Troy, IL Daughter

9 Grandchildren: Brielle, Adree, Bryce, Colin, Cora, Solvi, Quinn, Carlee, and Conrad.

Ken (Lyn) Wuethrich, Indianapolis, IN Brother

Kitty (Dennis) Gutwein, Francesville, IN Sister

Kevin (Connie) Wuethrich, Francesville, IN Brother

Kelly (Mark) Ramseyer, Livonia, MI Sister

Kirby (April) Wuethrich, Zionsville, IN Brother

Yvonne Gutwein, Francesville, IN Mother-in-law

Steve (Linda) Gutwein, Francesville, IN Brother-in-law

Melody Gutwein Braun, Carmel, IN Sister-in-law

Nick (Suzanne) Gutwein, West Lafayette, IN Brother-in-law

Numerous Nieces and Nephews & their families

Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:

Chris Lee and Ruth [Stoller] Wuethrich, Parents

Mandy Lee Wuethrich, Daughter

Carl Gutwein, Father-in-law

Dr. Michael Gutwein, Brother-in-law

Visitation will be from 11:00AM - 2:00PM CDT Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Apostolic Christian Church of St. Charles (3333 Upper Bottom Road St. Charles, Missouri 63303).

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM CDT Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Apostolic Christian Church of St. Charles (3333 Upper Bottom Road St. Charles, Missouri 63303).

Out of town arrangements entrusted to Paul Funeral Home in St. Charles, Missouri - www.paulfuneral.com.

Visitation will be from 3:00PM - 7:00PM EST Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the

Apostolic Christian Fellowship Center (409 N. Morton Street Francesville, Indiana 47946).

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 AM EST Monday, November 6, 2023

11:00AM at Roseland Cemetery (West County Road 500 South Francesville, Indiana 47946).

Local arrangements entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville, Indiana - www.frainmortuary.com.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Chris Wuethrich Memorial Fund (please make checks payable to Carla J. Wuethrich) or Apostolic Christian Church HarvestCall.