Catherine Chris Well, age 76, of Fredericktown, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
She was born on February 2, 1949, in Mount Vernon to the late Jack and Beverly (Biefnes) Fearn.
Chris spent most of her life in the Fredericktown area, graduating in 1967 from Fredericktown High School. Some of her best memories were growing up right across from Merrin Park. She remained close with her high school friends; still getting together for a girls’ weekend when they could. Some of her high school activities included Fredericktown Teachers Association, cheerleader and GO Club member, marching and concert band, National Honor Society, student newspaper, and yearbook staff.
After high school, Chris spent a year at Otterbein University before transferring to Ohio University, where she earned a degree in elementary education. Her first job was teaching fourth grade in Centerburg and she worked there for four years before moving on to teaching third grade at Fredericktown. Her time spent teaching in Centerburg introduced her to people who would become lifelong friends. Together, they have traveled around and outside the country, celebrated every milestone, and laughed while telling their favorite stories over and over again.
Chris met her husband, Richard, while working in Centerburg. She took a break from teaching to raise their daughters but occasionally worked as a substitute teacher. She returned to the classroom to teach first grade in 1989. The majority of her career was spent as a reading teacher until her retirement in 2012. Chris held a special place in her heart for every student she worked with. She loved watching them grow up and seeing where life would take them.
Chris continued to support the Freddies, serving on school levy committees, the Fredericktown Alumni Scholarship Committee, and the FHS Hall of Honor Committee. She also participated in “Christmas at Heart” for many years. This program, started by her friend Carolyn Thompson, provided a decorated Christmas tree for every resident in a Knox County rest home. Chris was selected as one of Knox County’s “Movers and Shakers” for her contributions to her community. Chris was a member of Cornerstone Community Church. She enjoyed her Sunday School class and helping with their Peacemeal program, where she helped prepare and distribute meals to hundreds of people each week.
The Fredericktown Tomato Show was near and dear to her heart. She was a part of the original group that planned for the first event in 1977. She served as president 11 times, headed up many committees, and swept the streets and moved garbage cans around too many times to count. Chris served as the Parade Marshall in 2024. She loved working and laughing with the other members. She enjoyed seeing so many “reunions” and people of all ages coming together as a homecoming of sorts. She was proud to be a part of making that happen.
Despite her health challenges, Chris was as active as can be! She kept a very busy schedule with lunch and dinner dates with friends, shopping, and attending concerts and theater productions. She watched as many of her grandchildren’s ball games as she could and loved cheering them on!
Chris is survived by her loving husband, Richard Well; three daughters, Amy Krownapple, Whitney (Troy) Ansel and Ashley (Dr. Jake) Overholt; eight grandchildren, Rich Cline, Taylor Cline, Kali Krownapple, Addison Ansel, Emmerson Ansel, Graham Overholt, Reid Overholt, and Dane Overholt; three great-grandchildren, Briley, Roslyn and Wesley Cline; brother, Brad (Barrie) Fearn; and a sister, Steph (Mike) Frazier.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Jeffrey Bruce Fearn.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Cornerstone Community Church, 123 Columbus Road in Fredericktown. Where funeral services will be held on Friday starting at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jerry Ernst officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Cemetery.
The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel is handling the services for the Well family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: FHS Alumni Scholarship Fund (Memo – Chris Fearn Well Scholarship) Knox County Foundation, P.O. Box 309, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
To express a condolence to the family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com