Michael Gerasimos Kristos

Michael Gerasimos Kristos, 83, of Mishawaka passed away in Memorial Hospital at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30th.   Mr. Kristos was born August 28, 1936 in Athens, Greece to Sotirios and Panagiota Kremastoules.  He was preceded in death by his father, Sotirios, who passed away in Greece during World War II, and his mother, Panagiota, who passed away in England.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Georgia (Maros) Kristos, and a step-son, Emanuel (Micky) Maros.  He is survived by his wife, Elena Chiran, his son, Michael Kremastoules of England and granddaughter, Xanthi Kremastoules.

Mr. Kristos spent his early childhood in Greece.   In 1945, the Civil War started, prompting many Greeks to relocate throughout the world...United States of America, England, Canada and Australia.  Mr. Kristos and his mother immigrated to England when he was 11 years of age.  He attended school in England and served in the British Armed Services.

In 1964, Mr. Kristos and his mother traveled to the USA  during the Christmas holiday to visit relatives in South Bend, where he was very pleased to discover the presence of a sizable Greek community and St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church.  It was at church that he met his late wife, Georgia Maros.  He and his mother returned to England but, in less than a year, in 1965, he moved permanently to South Bend and married Georgia Maros at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church.  She preceded him in death, in 2000.

During a trip to Boca Raton in 2002 to visit his step-son, Emanuel (Micky) Maros, Mr. Kristos met Elena Chiran at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church on Easter Sunday.  They married in January of 2003 in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Mr. Kristos' first job in South Bend was at Claeys Candy.  He next worked in production at the former Miles Laboratory, currently Bayer Company, from which firm he retired in 1999.

As an adult, Mr. Kristos was an avid jogger and also especially liked to view western, military and history television channels.  He was a member of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church his entire lifetime in South Bend and an active and proud member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 3rd at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 52455 Ironwood Rd. with Father George Konstantopoulos officiating.  Committal services and entombment will follow in Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Kristos’ name may be made to St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church 52455 Ironwood Rd., South Bend, IN, 46635.  Palmer funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel is assisting with arrangements.  Family and friends may leave email condolences at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.