Howard L. Church

Pastor Howard L. Church, 87, formerly of Corbettsville, NY, passed away at his home in DeWitt, Michigan Tuesday, May 15, 2018.  He was predeceased by his parents Lenn and Juanita Church, his brothers-in-law Clark Williams and Emerick “Hank” Snopek and his nephew Timothy Williams.  Howard is survived by his three sisters; Beryle “B” Snopek, Beverly “Rose” Williams and Bernita Little, many nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews, and many cousins, his very dear friends Rev. Don and Albie Cooper and Dale Land.  Howard was a devout Christian and answered his calling to become a Baptist Minister in his early 20’s. He graduated from the University of Dubuque with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Divinity.  After graduation he became a Baptist Minister and passed the “Word of the Lord” on through preaching and serving church communities in at least 5 states, for over 30 years. After the ministry, Howard continued to work up until the day of his death as a courier for Dental Arts Lab in Lansing, Michigan.  Howard passed on the “Word of the Lord” through his ministry and also through music and poetry.  He was a very talented pianist and organist.  He excelled in singing, playing the xylophone, the cow bells and champagne glasses for many audiences.  Howard was a published poet and was listed in the “International Who’s Who of Poetry.”  Those that knew Howard knew his passion for the Lord, his compassion for humanity, his quick witted humor and looked forward to his yearly Christmas Letter.  It was not unlike him to send a “crying towel” to his nephews whose college teams lost to Michigan State.  His conversations, jokes and visits will be missed by all!  The family will receive friends at the J.F. Rice Funeral Home, 150 Main St., Johnson City, NY on Friday, June 8^th at 10am with a funeral service to follow at 11am.  The burial will take place immediately after at the Alexander Hill Family Cemetery in Windsor, NY. Howard requested any memorial donations on his behalf be sent to the “American Baptist Convention,” ABCUSA Development Dept., PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.

“Because of Him”

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