Alton Richard Church
NORTH EASTHAM, MA - Alton Richard Church, 79, of 85 Rolling Lane, formerly of Meriden, CT, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Harbor Hill Care Center in Middletown, CT. He was the husband of Barbara Messner Church. Born in Meriden on Aug. 24, 1923, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Leone Maronde Church. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was employed as Superintendent of Maintenance at World Tableware in Wallingford for forty-four years. He was a member of American Legion Post #45 of South Meriden, CT, the Legion Post in Orleans, MA, Elks Lodge #35 in Meriden, Elks Lodge #2572 in North Eastham and the Golf Club in Wellfleet, MA. He also was a member of the Wallingford, CT State Guard for ten years. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Enid Learned of Meriden and Holly and Francis Solecki of Boca Raton, FL; a sister, Marcia Thornton of Southington, CT; a sister-in-law, Irene Church of Meriden; a grandson and his wife, Kevin and Melinda Learned of Meriden; two great granddaughters, Caitlin Falkowski and Portia Learned, both of Meriden; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Wayne Church and a son-in-law, Newall Learned. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden. The Rev. Anne Jensen will officiate. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. If desired, contributions in Mr. Church's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2911 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.
My deepest sympathy and condolences go to the family of Alton Church. It is a very sad time when we lose someone we love and I just wanted to offer some comfort and encouragement from the Bible. We remember the good times we had with them and how much we love them. When we loose someone we love the Bible gives us a comforting message to help us cope with their death. This message is found at Revelation 21:3, 4 and Isaiah 33:24. May these words bring you comfort as they did me when my mother died. Deepest Sympathy, Ms. Floyd