Sara Christman

Sara Jane (Kleyla) Christman, 61, of Hartford City, IN

Called Home on July 14, 2025

Sara Jane (Kleyla) Christman, 61, was called home to be with the Lord on July 14, 2025, Community Hospital Anderson.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, Sara’s life was a beautiful testament to faith, creativity, and unconditional love.

Born and raised in Elwood, Indiana, Sara graduated from Ball State University with a degree in graphic design. She began her career working for several design agencies before following her heart in education – first as an art teacher, and later as a devoted preschool teacher. Her passion for creativity and her love for children touched countless lives.

Sara’s faith in the Lord was the cornerstone of her life. She not only lived out her beliefs with quiet strength and grace, but also laid a foundation of faith for her entire family. Her marriage, of 37 years, to her soulmate, Daniel Christman, was a shining example of enduring love, partnership, and commitment – one many admired and were inspired by.

Sara was the most devoted and loving mother, selfless in all things, and a gentle nurturer to many beyond her immediate family. She showed unwavering resilience and positivity through the challenges she faced in life.

She was a maker of many things and was especially known for her handcrafted jams, jellies, soaps, and her talents in sewing, crochet, and gardening. She was a proud member of the Trowel N’ Error Garden Club and spent long hours every winter and spring starting and growing flowers, peppers, and tomatoes that many local residents grew to maturity each summer. Every gift she created carried the warmth of her heart and the joy she found in simple things. She also had an affinity for tiny things, trinkets, and treasures, and she curated a beautiful home with her unique finds.

She is survived by her loving husband, Daniel Christman, of Hartford City; her father, Melvin Kleyla, of Elwood; her sisters, Joan Songco of Roanoke, and Judy Johnson (partner, Scott) of Huntington; her three children: Alex Christman (wife, Mindy) of Pennsylvania, Emily Christman (husband, Jacob) of Hartford City, and Christopher Christman (wife, Grace) of Hartford City; as well as her two beloved granddaughters, Cora and Louanna Buckles, also of Hartford City. She is remembered by numerous brothers and sister in laws including Charles and Lisha Christman, David and Tracey Christman, Sandra and Perry Clamme, Elaine Myers, Elizabeth and Greg Ellis, George Christman, and Christopher Christman, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Sara was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Kleyla, mother and father in law, Charles Christman and Martha Christman, sisters in law, Denise Martin and Patricia Cale, brother in law, Trent Myers, and her nephew, Kameron Clamme.

Services honoring Sara’s life will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, July 19th in the Waters Funeral Home, Hartford City, with Pastor Josh Johnson of Glad Tidings Church, presiding.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until services at noon.

Visitation also will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 18th, for those who are unable to attend on Saturday.

She was a truly selfless person, always thinking of others and putting their needs above her own. Her compassionate approach to helping others was truly inspiring. In lieu of flowers, please consider performing an act of kindness in her memory. Donations can be made to the Community Hospital Anderson Foundation, specifically to the Community Farm at the Jetty Center. You can donate online at ecommunity.com/foundation-anderson or through mail by sending a check to the Community Hospital Anderson Foundation, 1515 N. Madison Ave., Anderson, IN 46011 with “in memory of Sara Christman” in the memo.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sara Christman, please visit our floral store.