Obituary of Robert E. Church

GOUVERNEUR- Robert E. "Bob" Church, age 76, of Gouverneur, passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the United Helpers RiverLedge Nursing Home in Ogdensburg. Calling hours for Bob will be on Friday, December 2, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. His funeral will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Spragueville Methodist Church with Pastors Rick Pickert and Judy Sibley officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Spragueville Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Bob was born on November 22, 1940 in Gouverneur to the late George L. and Verna (Johnson) Church. He graduated from Knox Memorial High School in Russell in 1958. He entered into the United States Army in 1963 and following his service in the Army he joined the Army Reserves and served until his honorable discharge in Canton, NY on October 31, 1969. A marriage to Jean LaTray ended in divorce. He married Kathryn (Kay) Whittaker on April 21, 1990. The couple moved from Canton to Spragueville in 1992 to be caregivers to Kay's mom, Gladys Whittaker. Bob worked for St. Joe Zinc Mines for 25 years then Gouverneur Talc Mine for 20 years. Bob was a "very caring" volunteer driver for Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. He enjoyed bowling and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Kay; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert J. and Laurie Church and family; an adopted daughter, Judy Hendricks and family; a step son, Greg Zimmer and family; a step daughter, Kim and Mike Sayler and family; a sister, Carol Fuller and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Bob is predeceased by his father and mother, George and Verna Church, also by six brothers, Frank, William, Donald, David, Gary and Willard and a sister, Doris. a step son, Michael Zimmer. Donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 441 West Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse NY 13204 or Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Hwy 11, Potsdam NY 13676.