Frederick Christopher "Chris" Gehlken

Frederick Christopher "Chris" Gehlken, husband of Patricia Spell Gehlken, of James Island, entered into eternal peace on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Chris is a Charleston native and was born Christmas Day 1922 to Bertha Daggett Gehlken and Frederick Johann Eide Gehlken, both of Charleston.

His Funeral Service will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Saint James Church, 1872 Camp Road, James Island. Interment, churchyard. The family will receive friends in the Ministry Center immediately following the service. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street.

Chris was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia S. Gehlken; his daughter, Julianne Gehlken Zeigler; and his two grandchildren, Angela Courtney Zeigler of Charlottesville, VA, and Christopher Timothy Zeigler and his wife, Kahli, of Six Mile, SC. His kindness and sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Chris worked as a cabinet maker and during his career worked for construction companies, restoration companies and as a specialty wood worker at Buck Lumber Company. In addition, he loved to build furniture and boats.

Chris was a WWII veteran. When WWII began, he enlisted in the Navy. He was a hospital corpsman, and in this role was attached to the 5th Marine Division during the invasion of Iwo Jima. After returning from WWII, he continued to serve as a Naval Reservist with the Sea Bees, retiring in 1971.

He was a graduate of the High School of Charleston. He was a member of Saint James Church, Washington Light Infantry, and Deutscher Brüderliche Bund. He was also a member of the James Island Yacht Club, and in 1997 was awarded an honorary life membership as thanks for his years of service to the club. In the 60's he built, with help from other JIYC members, 22 boats at the Yacht Club named "James Island One Designs" which were classic wooden sailboats. One of those boats is displayed in the James Island Yacht Club.

Chris, who is of German descent, was also an honorary member of The German Friendly Society. Chris was known for his friendliness and sense of humor. He and his wife enjoyed many activities with friends as members of the James Island Dance Club and a local supper club.

Memorials may be made to Saint James Church or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.