Mary Prudence Christman, known to all as Prudy, 72, of Clark Lake passed away at her home on January 5, 2023.
Prudy was pure Clark Lake. She attended the small Clark Lake school, grades one through eight, with the same 11 children, most of whom have remained in the area as lifelong friends. She attended high school in Detroit. After graduation she worked there for a brief time before she returned to her true roots at Clark Lake.
As an adult she worked as an administrative assistant for Air Master Fan Manufacturing Company until her retirement. Prudy was born on October 13, 1950 to Marilou and Stephen Van Eisele in Jackson Michigan. Her main love was family and friends. She was quirky, energetic, and full of life. She was the glue that held many things together. In the last few years she was an integral part of a women’s group who exercised faithfully and who called themselves the “Fit Chicks”.
Prudy was highly involved in the Clark Lake community in every conceivable way. Before moving to their property on Jefferson Road, Prudy and her husband, Greg, lived on Clark Lake’s North Shore. Neighbors from that area held an annual gathering for several years. The most recent one took place at the Clark Lake Community Center in May.
You would also see Prudy and Greg at events like the Clark Lake’s Biggest Little Parade, held each Memorial Day at the head-of-the-lake. Here they are in 2021 just before the parade passed by.
Prudy took an interest in preserving Clark Lake’s past. Several years ago, this website published an article about tokens used at Clark Lake. It turned out Prudy was able to add context to this element of Clark Lake history. She, in fact, had one of these tokens, now displayed among other mementos on a wall in the Christman home. Prudy’s token was given to her by her father, Steve. Prudy said her grandmother, Alice Eisele, who was born in 1890, told her what they were used for. When someone arrived at Clark Lake’s west end railroad depot, a taxi would transport the travelers down Vining Street to a boat. The token was given to the captain of the steamboat to carry them to the Eagle Point Hotel. Presumably when reservations were made for the hotel, the person booking the reservation would receive a token for this part of the trip. Read more by clicking here.
Prudy will also be remembered with a smile for a story that appeared on this website on April 1, 2017. Greg and Prudy insisted they never fed the gator. To read more about this affair, please click here.
Prudy Christman was a generous friend to all and would go out of her way to help friends and strangers alike. One of her primary goals was to make you laugh.
Prudy is survived by her loving husband Greg of 27 years, children Leif and Ellen Christman, and brothers Marty and Steve Eisele. She will also be remembered and missed by numerous family members, friends and adopted love ones. A Celebration of Life is being planned at the Clark Lake Community Center in the early summer. Prudy was fond of a line in a poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye which asks: “Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.”
Greg and Family my heart goes out to you in this time of loss. Prudy was one of a kind and will be talked about for years to come. She was special to so many of us who knew and loved her.
Hugs and prayers to you all.
Lovely person. So much fun to be around. We loved her so. Tom and Janet
Greg & family,
Prudy always had a friendly greeting and went out of her way to say hello, and to be a friendly neighbor
One of my truly favorite best friends since we first in kindergarten in 1955. I absolutely loved and adored that little bundle of energy. Prudy was and always will be unique in so many wonderful ways. My sincerest condolences to Greg, Steve, and Marty. Prudy, we love you, you are irreplaceable, and you will forever be in our hearts. God bless you my dear friend…
My next door neighbor in Detroit. My true sister in heart. Best friends for over 60 years. There for everyone for every occasion. Undying friendship. So many memories.
How do you describe this unique, unselfish Angel who walked this earth?
Always a smile, a hand, a lifelong eternal friendship.
God spared her the pain that her body was filled with and took her home. Her reward.
Well done, good and faithful servant Mary Prudence Elizabeth Eisele Christman.
The pain of losing you is beyond what I can bear, but believe I will see you again. I love you sis.❤️
Sincere condolences to Greg and family. I remember Prudy as an active smiling and fun
loving child. As a teenager, I babysat for the Eisele children sometime likely in the late l950’’s at their beautiful cozy home perched on the North shore— likely when her parents, Steve and Marilou, joined Bowser and Myrt Eagy and my parents for a dinner out at Winn Schullers in Marshall. So glad to discern that Prudy had wonderful and very full life. She will live on in my memories and those of so many others.
Prudy was one of a kind. She and Greg welcomed Terry and me into the Clarklake community. We loved when we had game night. I loved being part of her fitchicks group. She is the kindest person I know. She cared deeply about everyone. She will be missed greatly. Our hearts are heavy. RIP dear friend.
Cathy and Terry Scott
Condolences to Gregg, Steve and Marty. So sorry to hear about Prudy. She was a great gal. So friendly. Hugs and prayers to the family.
I shared a life with my sister Prudie, both in childhood and as an adult. The multitude of memories I have with her are out of this world. She was a sister like no other, which I had the profound pleasure of knowing, caring and loving her from the very first day my mom brought her home. I am heartbroken with her loss. I will always remember the love she shared with me personally and the love she would express towards family and friends. Prudie was so positive and uplifting emotionally, just being around her, was in itself a good day. I love you Prudie ❤️
My sympathies to Greg and family. Mary was a friend both at work and in the exercise group. She will be missed by many.
My condolences to Steve Marty and Greg ! Loved that girl since we hung out at the lake. I am so sad.
Our heartfelt sympathy to Greg and family. Memories of Prudy’s beautiful smile and friendliness to all.
Steve and Kendy Pearse
RIP “cuz”
I met Prudy on one of my first visits to Clark Lake, in my early twenties. First memories are of her scorekeeping at the huge summer baseball game, and the party that followed. We always ended up talking. I liked her a lot from those early days.
Much later on, as life progressed through its phases, she joined our family. So many changes like this in a family, often create a division within, but not so with Prudy. She embraced the children as if her own. As the grands came along, they were cherished, as she looked for ways to make each one feel so special, and truly loved.
The way Prudy planned family gatherings, for the children and grands over the years, allowed the grands to experience the life their parents had growing up at the Lake. She provided a continuity in everyone’s life, for which I will always be grateful.
Prudy reached out to me many times over the years, with concerns about the children or grands, or even us during a covid siege last year. She truly was one of the the most caring, and kind people I’ve known. Her readiness to joke and laugh, always diffused any awkwardness I might have anticipated in family gatherings. I will always be grateful for the harmony she brought to the family. To say she has left holes in each of our hearts, is an understatement. We each love and miss her, but I believe we will all see her again.
Matthew’s Beatitudes hold the well-worn saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV).
Prudy was a dear, dear friend whom will always have a special place in my heart. Prudy was 11 years old and I was 13 years old when we met. That’s when Prudy’s family moved from Clark Lake to Detroit. Prudy moved next to our long time friend, Denise Chalker Cottingham. Denise and I were friends since kindergarten. That’s how I met Prudy, through Denise. The three of us have been life long friends. I’ve spent some good times at Clark Lake with Prudy and her family and also with her husband Greg. Many good memories. I miss you my dear Prudy. You will always be in my heart.
We will all miss Prudy.She was our score keeper ,picture taker , umpire and a faithful fan to both sides .She will be missed by the families and friends who frequented the lake every year for the July 4 th annual softball game followed by fun ,games food and stories at their house or the Sibleys Pruudy was always so kind and gracious along with husband Greg. Our condolences to Greg and family. Love the Stallkamps
With condolences and love from the Carroll family. She was one of a kind and will be missed. 💔
Special lady! Spent time with Prudy a few times visiting Sibley Cottage, she and Greg always made it a point to come see the boys and I when we would visit. Recently saw her summer 2022 it was a great visit! Thoughts and prayers to family.
Dear Steve, Marty, and Greg,
I was dumbfounded to hear of Prudy’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. The whole Toledo crew will never forget her. Loved the drive to Outer drive in Detroit!
Ned Hein
P.S. see you on July 1st!
Will be missed by so many.