Retired Staff Sergeant, Christopher Gordan Mansker, age 53, of Centralia passed away on December 8, 2023, at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. He was born on August 25, 1970, the son of Robert E. and Barbara (Dukes) Mansker in Centralia.
Survivors include his father, Bob Mansker; children, Cory (Meredith) Latner of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Lindsay (Tim) Ramsey of Centralia, Illinois, and Christian (René) Ceretto of Collinsville, Illinois; bonus children, Jordyn Holsapple, and Jonah Phillips; grandchildren, Kendel Foster, Kylie Foster, and Kenslie Foster; sister, Deborah (Alan) Robbins; brothers, Greg Mansker (Ginger Davis), and Chad (Madeline) Mansker; sister-in-law, Debbie Mansker; mothers of his children, Tina Lloyd, and Jill Ceretto; a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends. Chris was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Mansker; brothers, Tony Mansker and Robbie Mansker; nephews, Eric Griffin, Vincent Mansker, Devin Mansker, and Michael Mansker; grandparents, Gordon and Ann Mansker and Charles and Nora Miller; and Lindsay’s mother, Deena Gregory.
Chris was a graduate of Patoka High School, Class of 1988, where he led the Warriors basketball team to many victories with his skills on the court and his natural leadership abilities. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Army. Chris served in the First Brigade HHC 2/327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army with pride, during Desert Storm. He was stationed in Bosnia, Serbia, and received his marksman status called schuetzenschnur while stationed in Germany. A Staff Sergeant for 16 years, Christopher Mansker was wounded while serving in Kuwait. He was a true history buff, studying past wars and impressing others with his vast knowledge. He was an avid reader. Family was of most importance to Chris, and he loved to share a good meal with friends and family. He will be remembered for spoiling his grandchildren, living up to his name of “Papa Christmas”.
A celebration of life service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka with Pastor Larry Miller officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Patoka American Legion Post #543 at the funeral home following the celebration of life service. The interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the funeral home in Patoka, where words of comfort and support may be shared with his family. Memorials may be made in Chris’ honor to Day Macz Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories of Chris may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
