La Fran(z) (Christian “Chris”) Debelle, age 78, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
He was born on January 11, 1946 in Chicago, IL to Eileen Cooper and William Martin Debelle. Christian went to Coleman Elementary School and DuSable High School. He grew up in the courtway of 4718 S. Michigan Avenue. His childhood friends were Godfrey and Gregory Daniels - twin brothers that Chris would regularly play baseball, always as the catcher. Debra Wilson, Chris's last surviving sister, recalled a story when their father William caught her brother and the Daniel brothers playing cards and gambling. William said "I don't want my son gambling, because he had a temper and I don't want him to get into trouble." But Chris was drawn to cards because he liked watching westerns and would see the lead characters playing poker, and wanted to emulate the cowboys.
He lived most of his life in Illinois but moved temporarily to Avada, Colorado for approximately a year. Christian completed his education at the Art Institute of Chicago where he studied art and drafting. Chris worked as a draftsman and an artist since the late 1960s, until he met the late love of his life Dianne Susan Goff.
They met at a diner. Dianne was a recent transplant to Chicago and was making ends meet as a waitress. Chris was a regular who always wanted to sit in Dianne's section. Quickly catching on, Dianne memorized his regular order and wouldn't even need to ask for his order. Eventually, Chris built up the courage to ask her on a date. On their first date, Chris brought her a bouquet of flowers. However, these flowers were plastic, when Catharine asked over a decade later - Chris responded so they would last forever. Christian always saw Dianne as a miracle. At the time she entered his life, Chris had just lost his best friend Bobby and his mother Eileen. She truly was the light of his life.
Dianne and Christian were married on September 27, 1981. Almost 9 years later, their daughter Catharine Sara Debelle was born. From this point on Chris dedicated himself to being the best father he could as provider, teacher, entertainer, and confidant. He was his daughter's strong foundation, and with the help of Dianne helped mold Catharine into the woman she is today.
For the next 20 years Chris worked as a mechanical engineer, until he was pushed into early retirement due to failing health and hearing. During his illustrious career, Chris built schools and hospitals across Chicagoland. He even worked on the brontosaurus skeleton displayed in front of the Field Museum. He also tried to keep his art alive by working with his daughter and students at some of the schools he helped build to create murals and worked with Catharine on multiple art and photography projects.
Chris was a loving husband and father. He always put his family first. He valued education, hard work, and meaningful conversation and instilled those values in his family. He and Diane took joy in raising their daughter, Catharine, together by sharing quality time and supporting her through all endeavors.
Chris was a friend to many. He loved learning about people he met as much as he loved sharing stories with them. He’d strike up conversation with everyone from visitors to his Oak Lawn home to employees at his local grocery store.
Chris is reunited with his late wife, Dianne, and is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Catharine; sister, Debra (Debelle) Wilson; multiple nieces Phyllis Scott, Janet Graham, Renay Barnes, Wanda Burke, Angelia Bates, Brittany Scott, Kyra Laster, Latrece McGinnis, Tiffany Barnes, and Lauren Campbell; and multiple nephews Aaron Godley, Chad Barnes, Carl Sr. Farley, Carl Jr. Farley, Spencer Farley, Bryant Farley, Ricky Farley, Cameron Farley, and Travis Farley.
Family and friends will gather for a Memorial Visitation on Friday, October 11, 2024 3-7 p.m. with Funeral Service 4:00 p.m. at Palos Gaidas Funeral Home 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills, IL 60465. Interment Private
Friday, October 11, 2024
3:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Friday, October 11, 2024
4:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)
Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home & Cremation Services
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