Royal Earl Church Sr.

Royal Church, Sr. Obituary Royal Earl Church Sr. passed away peacefully at home in Pineville, NC on November 10, 2024 surrounded by loving family. Born September 5, 1936 in Valparaiso, IN to Leon R. Church Sr. and Helen Church (Edwards). He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Leon Jr, Sina Hickman, and Lodema Cargo. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years Ilaine Church (Groves), daughter Deborah Arnett (Michael), sons Royal Jr (Jennifer) and Timothy (Jeri), 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren. Royal personified "practice makes perfect" in both his personal and professional life. Always putting in the time and effort required to be the best at whatever he wanted to accomplish. And his accomplishments were many. Personally, he was nationally recognized as a premier fastpitch softball pitcher, the apex was being the winning pitcher for the 1962 World Series Fastpitch Champion Clearwater (FL) Bombers. Returning to Valparaiso, IN his pitching prowess continued with the Valpo Kings and LaPorte PRCU fastpitch teams. Over his career he pitched 99 no-hitters. Royals pitching legacy lives on with the many young people he mentored during their high school and college softball careers. Professionally, he began his 40 year career with U.S. Steel Corporation Gary (IN) Works in 1954. As you can imagine many changes occurred in the steel industry over those years. Royal accepted change with open arms expressing "change is going to happen, look at it as an opportunity to learn new things". This personal philosophy was clearly evident when U.S. Steel was completely revamping the Gary plant with the new state of the art continuing casting process. Once again Royal was top in his training class and was selected to continue his training and education in Japan which at that time was the industry leader in the continuous casting process. The culmination of his hard work was ultimately recognized when he was chosen to host 41st US President George H.W. Bush as his personal tour guide during the ribbon cutting ceremony of U.S. Steels newly installed continuing casting lines. Retiring in 1995 he and Ilaine became snowbirds wintering in Winter Haven, FL. Never one to sit idle, Royal took up golf while in Florida. It didnt take long for him to excel in that endeavor too. Scoring his first "hole in one" April 1, 2000 in Florida. We thought he was pulling an April Fools joke until it was published in the local newspaper. His second hole in one was in Valpo on September 10, 2004. Many golfers go a lifetime without having a hole in one, Royal gets two in less than 9 years of playing the game. Impressive! The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the local animal shelter. Funeral services will be at Bartholomew Funeral Home 102 Monroe St. Valparaiso, IN Viewing is Monday November 18, 2024 from 10:00 -11:00 am with the funeral immediately following.
Services
Visitation
Monday
November 18, 2024
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Bartholomew Funeral Home
Valparaiso, IN 46383-
Funeral Service
Monday
November 18, 2024
11:00 AM
Bartholomew Funeral Home
Valparaiso, IN 46383- To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Royal, please visit our Tree Store.