Clifford R. Ghrist

Clifford R. Ghrist, 87, of Clover Hill in Coal Center, PA died at 12:05 AM Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Grandview Estates of Elizabeth.

Born October 11, 1938, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ruth (Smiley) Ghrist. Cliff was a graduate of the California Area High School in 1958.

He was a member of Teamsters Local 872. He retired as a truck driver from Dravo (concrete & block) Corporation in Charleroi after 22 years. Prior, he worked on his parents’ dairy farm in Coal Center and delivered milk in the Charleroi area.

On August 14, 1959, he married his beloved wife Karen Ristimaki Ghrist who survives. They celebrated an amazing 67 years of marriage.

He attended Garwood and East Bethlehem Baptist Churches as well as several other area churches over the years. He made many “forever friends” at all the churches he and his wife were privileged to attend. At Dravo, Cliff had great respect for his boss, the late Al Ferrari, and he enjoyed his work as well as all his co-workers.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his son Leslie Ghrist, and son Jason and daughter-in-law Becky (Sosnak) Ghrist, his brother-in-law Ronald Ristimaki and friend Jean Mangini, and his dog Lani.

At his request, funeral services were private and under the direction of the Greenlee’s Bentleyville Funeral Home 619 Main St. Bentleyville, PA. Interment was held in the Maple Creek Cemetery. An online guestbook is available.