Christopher James Uding, 54, of Festus died Sept. 24, 2026, in Reynolds County. Mr. Uding worked for AT&T for 27 years as a lineman, DEG, communications technician and as a member of the FirstNet team. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Festus, a local Campus Leader for Encounter Ministry of Roach and a member of the Magni Gyro Flight group in Potosi. Born Sept. 5, 1972, in St. Louis, he was the son of Carol Lynn Cantrell (Gerald) Shepherd of Hillsboro and the late Jerome Vincent Uding.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife: Becky (Curp) Uding; four children: Malaika (Manuel) Meyer of Festus, Lily (Terry) Fenske of Justin, Texas, Tucker Uding of Festus and Tate Uding of Festus; three grandchildren: Melora Meyer, Marzilee Meyer and Easton Fenske; four sisters: Melony (Joe) Whaley of Festus, Melissa (Chris) Mangold of Festus, Brandi (Metz) Bizzell of Alpharetta, Ga., and Jessie (John) Barnes of Festus; a brother-in-law: Dwayne Ruble; his stepmother: Eddie Jean (Shadowens) Uding; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He died with his sister, Jenny Ruble.
Visitation is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Faith Baptist Church, 11835 Hwy. CC, in Festus, 63028. Visitation will resume from 9 a.m. until a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the church, officiated by Jeff Brawley. Memorials may be made to the Uding children’s education expenses or to Encounter Ministry. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.