Albert Church

Albert Church was an accomplished man whose wealth was best measured in the love of his family and the devotion of his friends. In fact, he counted siblings among his best friends. He grew up in a large family that valued the ideals of faith, honor, and service. Throughout his life, Albert demonstrated his commitment to family, friends, and country. Albert was born as America was recovering from WWII. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. In Jonesboro, Arkansas, Frank and Lillian (Dhoritey) Church already had six children by the time they welcomed twin boys on November 15, 1946. Albert and Elberts names were nearly indistinguishable and so were their activities. They did everything together, dressed alike, became Boy Scouts, and shared childhood joys with their five brothers: CD, Bedford, Ruben, Billy and Fred; and two sisters: Minnie Lee and Lillie Ruth. Albert was especially close with his younger sister, Lillie Ruth, whom he affectionately called Tweety Bird. Over the years, their support for one another was unquestionable, and he considered Lillie his best friend. Family ties were further strengthened by faith, which was nurtured through the Baptist church the family attended every Sunday. In 1957, the family moved from Arkansas to the Muskegon area, settling in Norton Shores, Michigan. Alberts father got a job at Lappo Lumber Company, and when they were teenagers, Elbert and he worked there with their dad during the summers. Albert attended school in Grand Haven, graduating from Grand Haven High in 1965 and then enlisting in the US Navy. Although many servicemen were being sent to Vietnam in the mid-60s, Albert was stationed stateside. He worked as a Personnelman in San Diego, later joking that his only weapon was a typewriter. When Albert was honorably discharged from the Navy, he stayed in California and took a job with the Bank of America. Already stable with a promising career, Alberts life was enriched when he married and began a family. His marriage to Candance and the births of their daughter Melissa in 1970 and son Justin in 1975 were a joy to Albert. He loved his family and spent time with his children. Such outings as fishing trips with Melissa and regular family reunions around the country were just a few expressions of the importance Albert placed on family. In 1982, Albert moved his family to Grand Haven, Michigan when he took a job as a loan officer with National Bank of Detroit. As it turned out, the 1990s brought several hardships into Alberts life. He divorced in 1991, and in 1999, his twin brother died unexpectedly. Albert took Elberts death very hard; they had been as close as brothers could be. Then, about the same time, NBD was sold in a merger, and Alberts job was eliminated. He took retirement from the bank in 1998, after many years of faithful service. Through it all, Albert always valued friendship. He seemed to attract friends with his good humor and sense of fun. He liked to go out to dinner, hang out with friends at the American Legion or Grand Haven Eagles Aerie 925, play golf and watch tournaments on TV. Still, Albert could enjoy time alone in the solace of tending his garden. To make ends meet, Albert found work at Carter Manufacturing, but his greatest support came from his dear sister Lillie and his loyal friends Sparky and Don. He also met Colette Babin, with whom he shared his heart and his life. Albert was always blessed to have friends who were his siblings and his buddies. With the decline of his health, Albert finally stopped working in June of 2007. In death, his family and friends keep hold of their loved one who made life sweet by his love and laughter. Mr. Albert Church, age 60 of West Olive, MI, died Sunday, September 2, 2007. Surviving are his daughter, Melissa (Karl Barrow) Church of San Francisco, CA and son, Justin Church of San Diego, CA; 2 sisters, Minnie Lee (Dick) Schulte of Spring Lake and Lillie Ruth Carter of Holland; 4 brothers, C.D. (Helen) Church of Kentucky, Bedford (Maudie) Church of Colorado, Ruben (Judy) Church of IL, Fred Church of Nunica; dear friend, Colette Babin; Buddies, Sparky and Don; former spouse, Candance Brooks of California; many good friends, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Elbert and Billy. A service to celebrate the life of Albert will be held on Monday, September 10, 2007, 2:00 PM at Clock Chapel~Grand Haven, with Pastor Gary Lacy officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family on Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home~Grand Haven. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.