Hal M. Church

Hal M. Church, the man who was always there, is no longer with us. After 86 hard-working years on this earth, he has gone on to his Heavenly reward, passing away peacefully on Sunday, July 22, 2018, after a lengthy illness.

A quiet, fiercely loyal, yet soft-spoken man, Hal was an unassuming presence. But he was always there to lend a helping hand whenever he saw a need – whether it was maintaining the grounds of the Niles Christian Assembly, where he worshipped and served on the leadership council or assisting family and friends who needed an experienced handyman. When it came to helping others, he gave his all, always.

Born on October 11, 1931 to Hal and Wanda (Meek) Church of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Hal led a humble, middle-class life that led him to his first experience with service – enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and rising from the rank of Private to Sergeant during his tenure.

In the early 1960s he found himself in Ohio, where he found the love of his life, Lorene, who would become his loving wife and life-long companion. Together, they built a warm and welcoming home for their son David and daughter, Kim (Church) O’Connell. His family has since blossomed to include Kim’s daughter, Stephanie Vandenberg, husband, Dan and their son, Zachary, along with David’s wife Janet and their daughters, Gabrielle and Jada.

All of these family members survive Hal and mourn the loss of the family’s cornerstone, an everyday guy who lived for his family and friends and loved the simple things in life: cheering on his Cleveland Browns, the Tribe, the Buckeyes; scrubbing and polishing up his car; and spending time at family gatherings.

Hal will not be remembered for being boastful or self-centered, but for humbly helping others when he could and always being there for those he loved.

His memorial service will be held at Niles Christian Assembly, 672 North Road, Niles, at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2018.  Full military honors will be conferred following the service.  Friends may call 2:00 to 3:00 pm Thursday at the church. The family requests that donations be made in Hal’s name to the Niles Christian Assembly.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.