SSGT. CHRISTOPHER DAVID HARDING, JR.

He was born February 14, 1996, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Shari (Terry) Fitch and Christopher David Harding Sr.

CJ was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marines, currently serving active duty. He served a six-month tour on the USS New York in the Mediterranean Sea. He was stationed for three years in Japan and was last stationed in Virginia instructing new Marines. He was a 2014 graduate of St. Clairsville High School. He played basketball and football, where he was a member of the 2012 State Runner Up football team. He was a member of the Boozefighters MC 126, he enjoyed hanging out with friends, going to the gym, and was an avid Godzilla fan. He loved watching college football and hockey, rooting for his two favorite teams, The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a big jokester but most of all, loved being an uncle to Ryleigh and Kasen.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Larry Lewis.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Jeremy (Anna) Kartman; half siblings, Brittany, Sierra, Noah and Cole; niece, Ryleigh; nephew, Kasen; cousins, Dustin, Paige, Tre and Julius; grandma, Karen Lewis; paternal grandparents, Alta (Irvin) Harding; grandparents, Terry (Linda) Fitch; three Aunts, Angela, Ranelle and Julie; Uncle Kenny; and best friends, Brandon Livingston, Jericho, John, Nathan Heath and Austin Rine.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 2 p.m. until time of funeral service at 8 p.m. at the Toothman Funeral Home, St. Clairsville, with Chaplain Kurt Turner officiating. Full Military Honors will be conducted by the Belmont County Veterans Association with flag presentation by the United States Marines Corps. Inurnment will be at Holly Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Toothman Funeral Home, St. Clairsville.