Christopher J Obrecht

Christopher Jean Obrecht, 70, of Fort Gratiot, died Sunday, May 19, 2024 with family at his bedside.

He was born September 28, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the late Everett and Dorothy Deane Obrecht. He married Michele E. Leonard on 15 May in 2016; the couple celebrated their union with family in a wedding tent at the Sziget music festival on August 11, 2016.

Christopher retired as Center Director from the Social Security Administration in 2014, Chicago Regional Office. He was a mentor and friend to his many co-workers. Christopher loved animals, especially his dear dog Sziggy, and enjoyed volunteering with the Blue Water Area Humane Society. He also tutored first graders and was on the board for “Read for Life”. While he was not an avid traveler for much of his life, he took many trips over the last 15 years to visit his daughters in England and the Midwest and traveled across Europe to create fond moments with his entire family. His warm sense of humor and disarming friendliness turned strangers into confidants, grocery store acquaintances into friends, and made him well loved by anyone who got to spend time with him at work or in his private life. He is dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Michele; children from a prior marriage, Alice Obrecht (Ben Ferguson), and Julie Obrecht, and stepson Nathan Eccles; grandson, Asher “Mudpuppy” Ferguson; sister, Gail (Robert) Westbrook; nieces and nephews, Susie Obrecht Elliott, Angela Obrecht, John Obrecht, Torello Disher, Loam Disher, Rene Obrecht-Como and Rachael Mikkelsen. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Karl and Steve Obrecht.

Funeral services will be held at 5:30 PM on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 3:00 PM. A subsequent celebration of life will be held at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in Chicago at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Water Area Humane Society. The family would appreciate hearing memories and stories from those who knew him. To send condolences and share stories/memories of Chris Obrecht, visit karrersimpson.com and scroll to the bottom of Chris’ obituary page and click “Send a Private Condolence to the Family”.