With deepest sorrow, we announce the passing of Gregory Lewis White Eagle Church, beloved son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his parents William and Cheryl Church; three sisters Chassidy, Christi, and Kelly; and brother, Sean.
Born May 1982 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI on a freezing spring day (it was the Upper Peninsula, after all), Greg's parents brought him home in a Black Ash basket, balanced precariously in the back seat of the family Chevy Malibu. The days before seat belt laws were some wild times indeed! He miraculously survived this humble first homecoming to start life as the competitive, obstinate, rule-breaking, fun-loving, adored baby of the family.
Greg attended Grand Ledge High School and later Hopkins High School. Greg was intensely bright and curious, and although had only a passing interest in completing his homework assignments on time (much to his mother's chagrin), he excelled at all sports. In his junior year, playing running back for the Hopkins Vikings, his football team went all the way to the state championships at the Pontiac Silverdome. He was also a talented runner, debater, and shirker of household chores (much to his sister's chagrin).
Greg had the soul of an adventurer, and as a young man, traveled the country road tripping in an old van and picking up the occasional job. He cooked steaks on his car radiator while on the road, slept in highway KOA's, was stung by a jellyfish in the Gulf of Mexico, and befriended everyone he met along the way. He couldn't help but make friends on his travels as his natural curiosity led him to engage with even the most disreputable looking characters he came across. That was Greg - truly a citizen of the world, an all-around good guy, with an insatiable curiosity for the unknown.
Later, Greg studied history at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. His particular focus of research was Michigan Native American history before 1795, and he delighted in piecing together the relatively sparse documents and data from the time. Greg had a vivid imagination and perfect recall for little-known historical facts and dates (much like his father). As a staunch individualist, Greg also never shied away from reading everything he could on numerous obscure subjects that others might find tedious, as well as teaching himself any skill that caught his fancy. As a result, he was a talented digital artist, photographer, antique camera collector, and undisputed family Trivial Pursuit champion.
Greg cared about people he met in the purest way, without judgment, and would do anything to help a friend in need. He had a special gift for storytelling, drawing people in, and making them laugh with his sharp wit. Greg will be missed by every person he touched with his grace, humor and kindness.
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