Michael R. Church

THOMPSONTOWN - Michael R. Church, 54, of Thompsontown, died at 8:23 a.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at his home.

Born on April 29, 1954, in Wheeling, W.V., he is a son of Charles R. and Emma (Bishop) Church, of McClure. He wife, Diane V. (Varner) Church, whom he married on July 30, 1988, survives.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are: two children, Jeremy M. Church, of Mt. Pleasant Mills and Danielle E. Church, at home; one brother, Robert Church and his wife, Patty, of McClure; two sisters, Barbara Hackenberg, of Port Ann and Karol Frieler and her husband, Robert, of Shamokin; a father-in-law, Vern E. Varner, of R.R. 2 Mifflintown; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his paternal grandparents, Charles H. and Aretta Church, maternal grandparents Elmer and Mildred Bishop and his mother-in-law, Shirley Varner.

He was a 1972 graduate of West Snyder High School, Beaver Springs, a member of the Mexico Gun Club, the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge No. 925, Millerstown and the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local No. 240.

For the last ten years, Michael was employed by Armstrong Cabinet Products, R.R. 1, Thompsontown.

Michael was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan; he also enjoyed riding motorcycle, following NASCAR and watching his daughter, Danielle, and her friends' athletic events.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 16 Westfall St., McAlisterville with the Rev. Kenneth Kitzmiller officiating. Interment will follow in the Adams Cemetery, R.R. 4, Mifflintown.

The viewing will be held from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, with the family present from 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.

For those that wish, memorial contributions in Mr. Church's memory may be made to the Sun Home Health Hospice, 2 Hudson Ave., Lewistown, PA 17044.