Obituaries

S. Christine Mummert, 73

September 08, 2019

S. Christine Mummert, 73, of Lititz, was involved in a bicycle accident and succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at Lancaster General Hospital. Raised in Chambersburg, PA she was the daughter of the late Dr. Charles A. and S. Elizabeth (Yaukey) Bikle and the beloved wife of Robert D. Durand.

Christine graduated from Goucher College and The University of Pennsylvania receiving her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work. She worked as a social worker briefly before opening Creative Fitness, where she provided fitness programs for seniors. Christine had an insatiable passion to help others.

A philanthropist and activist, Christine was the driving force behind many campaigns that advocated for people and communities in need. She was on the President’s Board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and was the Malaria Campaign coordinator for the Lower Susquehanna synod of the ELCA. She was also an active board member of the Harrisburg YWCA and PEO.

In addition to keeping active with charitable organizations, Christine loved to stay physically active through cycling, skiing, walking and dancing. She was a member of the Harrisburg Bike Club, the Kick and Gliders Cross Country Ski Club, and the Tap Pups dance group. She and her husband annually took ski trips in the western U.S., explored the world through bicycle tours, and frequently walked together.

Christine loved traveling and experiencing other cultures. She had traveled to over 33 countries through both personal vacations and mission trips. Christine hosted exchange students, taught ESL to children in Slovakia, and taught herself German and was working on Spanish. She deeply appreciated all the world had to offer.

Christine was a devout Christian and an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Neffsville, where she also sang in the church choir.
Family and friends were the most important thing to Christine. She cherished these relationships through the joy shared in them. She especially enjoyed hosting dinners followed by an evening walk together.

Her positive outlook, spirited nature, and brilliant smile were Christine’s trademarks. She was incredibly driven to give opportunity to those who were less fortunate and advocate for people in need. There was never a road block, always an opportunity.

Christine will be dearly missed by her loving husband of five years, Robert Durand, her children; Dan Mummert and wife Sara Tucker, Laura Mummert and fiancé Cassie Brown, Karin Long, and Jonathan Durand and wife Cathy, and grandchildren Alex, Sage, and Carson Mummert, Dylan Forrester, and Liam Long. She is also survived by brothers; Charles Bikle and his wife Laura, Dr. Daniel Bikle MD and his wife Betsy, along with nieces and nephews Michael Bikle, Christine Bikle, Hilary Guthrie and her husband Ned, and their children Charlie and Christine. She is preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Earl L. Mummert.

A Memorial Service to honor Christine will be held Wednesday September 25, 2019 at 4:00pm at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 10 Delp Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601. Guests will be received prior to the service starting at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christine Mummert Global Mission Memorial Fund at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Earl and Christine Mummert Fund of The Greater Harrisburg Foundation.

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Condolences to the Family

September 26, 2019

This comes as a shock to me. I’ve been out of the loop doing church and seminary work. Christine was a very dear and loving person. She always showed much grace and love for people. She really made her make in the world.
I pray that you all are healing from this great loss. We all will miss her. May the Good Lord grant you all the peace and hope of the Resurrection!
Charles Leonard

September 22, 2019

Chris was a very special woman. Robert: Chris and you had a very special relationship.
Ken Bowman

September 22, 2019

Rob,
We were heart-broken when we learned of Chris’ accident. There are no words to express our deep sorrow.
So warmly, Dave an Cindy

September 19, 2019

Joe and I were so sad to hear of Christine’s passing. We had such a lovely visit with her and Robert in August and enjoyed our stay so much. Christine was a wonderful person, so encouraging and kind. She was also passionate about helping others and was a strong supporter of Global Mission in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is how we came to know her. Our deepest sympathy is with Robert and her entire family.
Rev. Deborah Troester

September 15, 2019

The Ford Family and the Bikle Family ‘grew up’ together in Merion, PA before the Bikles moved to Chambersburg, PA. My sister, Sandra, and Chris became close Friends! Charles and Betty became second ‘parents’ to Sandra and Anthony. Bikle sons Dan and Chuck became ‘brothers’ to ‘Big Ant’! My sister and I spent many Summers of happiness visiting in Chambersburg and out at the family farm! Chris ALWAYS had a huge Smile and words of comfort for me and Sandra. I believe she was guided in her relationsips with others by her strong belief in God. Now, she is with God who will keep her safe! Dan and Chuck: Renee joins me in expressing our sorrow at Chris’ passing. You are in our thoughts. With love of fond memories of your entire Family and especially Chris: Anthony Ford, Camano Island, WA.

September 13, 2019

It is with a very sad heart that we send most sincere sympathy to Chris’s family and brothers, Charles and Dan. Chris’s authentic personality, compassion, and faith embodied a beautiful soul. It was through music and church that Chris and I were friends and classmates. I have very fond memories of that time in our lives.
Linda Secrest Harry & Steve

September 13, 2019

robert – We were heartbroken to hear about Chris’s passing. She was truly a remarkable woman and we are so glad we had the privilege of knowing her. We will remember her amazing smile and the joy that radiated from her.
Wendy and Rich Motz

September 13, 2019

The Bell Family and the Laurel Avenue neighborhood will surely miss Chris’s kind and friendly presence in our midst. With deepest sympathy for your loss.
Steve, Leigh Anne, Emma, Abby, Jeremy, and Ollie

September 12, 2019

I did not know Christine, but I sure wish I did.
Lawrence Keating

September 12, 2019

I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of Chris Mummert-Durand. I met Chris, son Dan, and daughter Laura and her first husband Earl 40+ years ago at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Londonderry Road, Harrisburg. Her family and my family share many mutual experiences since my two children, Jenny & Tom were of the same age as Dan and Laura. We attended Church services and Sunday Schools at the same time.

Chris was always an active member in her family, and it wasn’t a surprise to me to hear that she was riding a bike at the age of 73. She was such a kind person to our church families, including me. I don’t remember ever seeing Chris without a smile on her face.

The physical world wasn’t large enough to keep her energy and productive activities. And now we share her with Heaven and we’ll never forget the time she shared with everyone she interacted with during her lifetime, that has been shortened by a startling accident.

May she rest in peace, eternally until the time that we join her in Heaven above.

Bill Comrey, Jr.

Enola, PA

September 12, 2019

Robert,
I’m so sorry to hear about losing Christine. She enjoyed life and helping others so much. I knew her through HBC and Kick’n Gliders and will miss her.
Marilyn Chastek

Visitation: Wednesday, September 25, 2019; 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM; St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church; 10 Delp Rd; Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Services: Wednesday, September 25, 2019; 4:00 PM; St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church; 10 Delp Rd; Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >