On June 28, 2026, Charles G. Kriston, 84, of Crawfordsville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and their four children.
Charles (aka Chuck) was born on Sept. 9, 1941, in Valparaiso, to Helen (Bennett) and George Kriston. After graduating from Valparaiso High School, he went on to attend Valparaiso University where he had a successful career in basketball. Charles was inducted in the Valparaiso University Hall of Fame in February 2020.
After serving his country in the US Army and National Guard for six years, Charles settled into a lifelong career in education. He began that journey at Wheeler High School, then continued at Seeger and Knox High Schools. In 1971 he was hired at North Montgomery High School where he spent the majority of his career as a dedicated teacher, coach, and athletic director until he retired in 1999, at which point he often lovingly stated he went to work for his wife [as her teacher’s aide] until they both retired in 2015.
Charles stayed active by traveling to cheer on his children and grandchildren and many other family members. He loved watching his beloved Chicago Cubs, attending services at Woodland Heights Christian Church, and going to weekly gatherings with his pals who are affectionately known to all as the “Coaches Corner guys.”
He is survived by his wife, Teresa, whom he shared his life with for almost 40 years; his four children, Kerri (Troy) Noard of Glenview, Illinois, Tony Kriston of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Chelsea (Bryan) Hartman of Mahomet, Illinois, and Lacey Kriston of Crawfordsville; grandchildren, Cooper and Kriston Noard of Glenview and Jane and Foster Hartman of Mahomet; mother-in-law Carolyn Foster of Crawfordsville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Todd and Angie Stamper of Brownsburg, Kevin and Tammie Bonebrake of Crawfordsville, Tim and Donna Foster of Crawfordsville and Bruce Lighty of Mishawaka. Charles also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He is preceded in death by daughter Addie; parents, Helen and George Kriston; sister Vicki Lighty; and father-in-law John Foster.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at Burkhart Funeral Home, 201 W. Wabash Ave., Crawfordsville. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. with a burial immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery. In honor of Chuck and his love for the Cubs, please wear Cubs gear or Cubs colors on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Area 4 Special Olympics or Marilyn’s Village in Covington.
