Thurman Keith Church

Thurman Keith Church, age 86, passed away from a very recently diagnosed brain tumor.

After graduating from Suffield High School in 1955, he moved to California and joined the marine corps. He worked as an aircraft electrician and developed some very valuable skills. After his marine corps stint, he worked in various companies on government contracts before returning to Ohio to work for Gould Inc. in Cleveland.

Thurman was a kind, generous, hard-working man. He retired from Rockwell International (formerly Allen-Bradley) in Twinsburg in 2001. He immediately decided to become a woodsman. He bought climbing equipment and multiple chainsaws and began working on the many trees on his property. For many years he provided firewood to heat the family home, and later cutting, splitting, stacking and seasoning firewood to deliver to multiple people in the area, even through this past summer.

He maintained family vehicles and did home repairs when needed although he did not want to be a plumber when he grew up. He was a member of Tallmadge United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and earlier played in the bell choir.

Thurman was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and William F. Church, his daughter, Robin Brenneman, his many brothers and sisters: Arleta Shook, Clifford Church, Hernon Church, Olivia Yukie, Beulah Parker, Paul Church and Wilber Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Lauersdorf Church; his children, Mark Church, Chris (Tami) Church, Jennifer (Dennis) Clem Jr. and his son-in-law, Keith Brenneman; his grandchildren: Samantha (Justin) Sarsany, Doug, (Shaunee Mckay) Lowers, Dennis Clem III, Andy Clem, Elizabeth (Andrew) Jordan, Emily (Justin) Gambaccini, Ryan (Faith) Church, and Jessica Brenneman, and sisters: Phyllis LaConto, and Donna (Jerry) Ehle, and his fur babies, Pixie, Lacey, and Shadow.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, 5-7 pm Funeral will be Wednesday Dec. 20 at 11:00 am at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio, 44305, with Pastor Scott Low, Tallmadge UMC officiating.