Supporting Chris' Family After The Sudden Unexpected Loss

This family has a long road ahead of them.

On August 3rd, Chris passed suddenly and unexpectedly after lovingly caring for his wife and kids.

Twelve months ago, Jennifer's (his wife), symptoms started with headaches that turned into 24 hours of dizziness plus additional neurological symptoms. Symptoms increased to a point where by April 2026 she was wheelchair-bound unable to physically get out of bed, get dressed, feed, bathe, or wheel herself in her chair. Family members supported her neck and body so she could sit upright on the couch when taking a break from the wheelchair. Chris provided the utmost detail of care for Jennifer during this challenging time.

On June 5th, Jennifer underwent extensive life-threatening brain surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor from her brainstem. The amazing surgical team spent 10 hours and successfully removed the tumor. She was in the hospital two weeks which included nine days of inpatient rehab following the surgery. Then she started outpatient rehab closer to home. Chris was beside her every step of the way. They always lived out their marriage vows including in sickness and in health. They were married over thirty years.

At the time of Chris' passing, Jennifer was continuing her recovery through daily outpatient speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The morning of August 3rd, Chris dropped her off for her daily rehab sessions before going to finish his workday in Greenville. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, he suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack. His death was completely unexpected and blindsiding.

Due to Jennifer's ongoing neuro-recovery, she is not able to work to support the family at this time. The family is facing the loss of Chris' income and health insurance coverage (his company's health insurance ended the day after his death; in which they found out after he passed), ongoing rehabilitation and medical expenses, funeral and unexpected emergency expenses, and the everyday household expenses and costs for their kids.

This fund has been created so that Jennifer can focus on healing and caring for their kids without having to face the immediate financial burden alone.

Funds raised will help with:

No family should have to navigate a loss like this while simultaneously trying to recover from a major medical crisis. They have already endured so much and now Jennifer is facing the future without her husband and with kids still depending on her.

If you are able to contribute, every amount will make a meaningful difference. If you are not able to give financially, your prayers, messages, and simply sharing this opportunity to support this family with others are all equally appreciated.

Our hope is to give her and her kids some financial breathing room in the months ahead to allow her to continue healing, to keep her children supported, and to give this family time to grieve and begin rebuilding their lives.

Thank you for surrounding her and their kids and granddaughter with love, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Friends of the Kirchem Family

(USPS directly to the family:)

P.O. Box 146, Roanoke, TX 76262

Quick update: It is day 37 (9/9/2026) after her husband's passing and his employer STILL hasn't sent the Cobra package so they can sign up. Unfortunately, it looks like she needs a lawyer because she isn't getting very far. If you have a lawyer you recommend (not family law), please call/text/email her. Thanks to your prayers, meals, and support, this is what the funds have been going to including her rehab and daily living (mortgage, utilities, gas for cars, groceries, etc). From the bottom of their hearts, they are truly grateful for family/friends like you because you and your/their faith is what is sustaining them through this long storm. Please keep them in your prayers. The kids and her are taking it one day at a time. They always have time for you, please call/text/email for them to pray for your needs/wants.