Brother Roger E. Church

Brother Roger E. Church, age 85, of 4705 N. 19 Road, Mesick, MI, passed away at his home, Friday, January 20, 2012.  He was born January 20, 1927, in Lansing and he married the former Nita Peterson May 29, 1948.

Roger served U.S. Army during World War II. He was employed at General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 1978. He was a member of UAW No. 652, coached Little League and was a Pioneer leader in the Lutheran Church in Lansing before moving to Mesick. He was an avid fisherman and had traveled to the Arctic Circle for fishing. He was also a deer hunter, an avid bowler, a member of the F&AM Lodge No. 466 in Mesick. 

Brother Church was a member of Robert Finch Camp No. 13, Traverse City by virtue of his G-G-Grandfather, Pvt. William H. Church, Co. F, 7th Vermont Infantry. For two years, he served as Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, was a member of the Scottish Rite and received a Red Hat. He was a member of the Shriners and the Order of the Eastern Stars, and was Grand Chaplain of Michigan Odd Fellows.

Brother Church is survived by his wife, Nita, three sons, and a daughter, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and a sister. He was preceded in death by a brother.

Funeral services were held January 23, 2012, at the Mesick United Methodist Church. A graveside service was January 24, 2012, at the Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing. Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.