Kenneth Edward Church

Kenneth Edward Church died Sunday, (April 28, 2002) at Valerie Manor in Torrington. He was born Dec. 8, 1910, in Pleasant Valley, to Ruth Adeline Tiffany Church and Frank Jerome Church. He had been a resident of Pleasant Valley most of his life and had lived with his son and daughter-in-law for the past 11 years. He was a graduate of the Gilbert School, class of 1928 and stayed on an extra year to obtain a post graduate diploma. He then moved to Long Island, NY and attended the F.A. Bartlett for a few years. He then returned to Pleasant Valley and in 1932 he married Ruth Norton Church. He was predeceased by his first wife in 1968. In 1971, he married Arlene King Church. He was a lifelong member of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church and was involved most of his life with the Church Bean Hole Bean Suppers as the "BeanMaster." He was a Barkhamsted Selectman for 29 years and also was dog warden and tree warden during these years. He was a member of the Barkhamsted Historical Society, a founding member of the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. and a charter member of the Barkhamsted Lions Club. In 1985, he was made a life member of the Lions and he held most official positions with the Lions during these years. He was Parade Marshall for the Lions 4th of July parade several times and he never missed a parade. He was a past member of the Winsted Rifle Club, the Conn. Tree Protective Assn. and a Licensed Conn. Arborist. He was an avid photographer of nature and especially wildlife and wild flowers. In 1947 he co-founded the Kenwood Tree Service, which he owned and operated until 1974 when he semi-retired. He then became sexton of the Simsbury United Methodist Church, a position that he held until retirement at age 85 in 1995. He was also treasurer of the Barkhamsted Fire District for several years. He is survived by his son, Theodore and his wife, Judith of Pleasant Valley; a brother, Richard Church of New Hartford; and many beloved nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and friends. He was predeceased by his second wife, Arlene Church; and four brothers, Orville, Lemuel, Russell, and Raymond Church; and a sister, Hazel Smith. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Major Mark Church, his wife Genie and their children, Megan and Emma of Shreveport, LA; Neil Church and his children, Ted and Samantha of Winsted; and Jennifer Mottola and her husband Michael, and her son, Cooper O'Connor of Pleasant Valley. He is also survived by four stepdaughters, Leslie Etzel of Meza, AZ; Janet Jennings of Keene, NH; Ann Clark of Gilsum, NH and Ellen Griswold of Winsted. Also a stepson, Allen Griswold, Jr. of Pleasant Valley. A memorial service is planned for the near future. Shea Funeral Home, 5 Steele Road, New Hartford, has care of the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, PO Box 181, Pleasant Valley, CT 06063.