ELKHART — Christopher J. McKenna, 50, a resident of Elkhart, passed away Saturday in Niles Township, Mich. He was piloting an Ultra Lite single-seat aircraft when it crashed in a wooded area east of Clark Street in Niles Township.  

He was born Nov. 8, 1962, in Groton, Conn., to Lawrence and Sharon (Keller) McKenna.

On Sept. 19, 1981, he married Karen L. Noffsinger in Osceola.  She survives along with two daughters, Charity (Manuel) Flores and Stephanie McKenna, both of Elkhart; four grandchildren, Kayliegh, Kamden, Mason and Max; a brother, Patrick (Becky) McKenna of Goshen; stepbrother, Michael (Barb) Ford of Elkhart; stepsister, Michelle (John) Shabaker of Naperville, Ill,; and his stepmother, Sarah Jane McKenna of Elkhart.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Timothy McKenna.

Chris was a U.S. Navy veteran, a member of the New Salem United Methodist Church, a member and past worshipful master of Kane Masonic Lodge # 81, F&AM, member of the Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, member of Starlight Chapter 183 OES, a member of the Widow Sons of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the American Legion.   

He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, flying, camping, working on cars and helping people in need. Chris was the owner of Stewarts Auto Repair for nine years. He currently was employed as a maintenance man at Bennington Marine in Elkhart.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Elkhart. A Masonic memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Rev. Michael Jenkins from the New Salem United Methodist Church will preside.

Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, where the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and the Elkhart DAV will render military honors.

Memorial contributions may be given to Kane Masonic Lodge or New Salem United Methodist Church. To send an online condolence, visit www.wmzfh.com.