Eileen Marie Church

Eileen Marie Church: Born in Lansing on June 14, 1944 to Harry George and Marie Agnes Northrup. In the early morning of Sept. 11th, Eileen succumbed quietly to her deteriorating health, happy to join her husband, parents, and other loved ones. Eileen was raised on a farm between DeWitt and St. Johns, and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns in 1962. On May 9, 1970, Eileen married David Ray Church of DeWitt , and they remained happily married until Dave’s passing in 2017. She worked at Fisher Body of Lansing prior to her nuptials, but she was primarily a home-maker, raising her two sons, Troy and Jeff. She had extra time as the boys became more independent, so she worked part-time at a couple of bank branches in DeWitt, including Community First Bank, and First of America Bank. Eileen was a very accomplished bowler, with regular participation on one to two leagues and many times went to the ladies nationals. She and Dave built a second home on Lily Lake in Harrison, MI in 1980 where she loved spending time. Near the turn of the millennium, Dave was nearing retirement from GM and the lake house was replaced by an amazing home near Venice, FL where they spent at least 6 months each year. She loved Loons from early adulthood and continued collecting Loon art for the balance of her life. After Dave passed, Eileen’s health made solo trips to Florida impractical, so the beloved Florida home was sold . Nearly a lifetime resident of Clinton County, she was also a proud and practicing member of the Catholic Community of St. Jude, and she volunteered there tirelessly throughout her twilight years. Eileen is survived by her sons: Troy Lynn Church of Michigan City, IN, and Jeffrey Scott Church of DeWitt; her big sister Janet Goelz and in-laws Jim and Rodena Church; as well as many nieces and nephews. Eileen was always smiling, and her kindness and giving nature will never be forgotten. Services were held at St. Jude on 9/16/19 and she was laid to rest with her husband immediately thereafter.