Edward Lynn Church
Burlington Flats, NY
Edward Lynn Church, 90, formerly of Burlington Flats, died Sunday December 11, 2011 at Otsego Manor, Cooperstown.
He was born on August 12, 1921 in Oneonta, the son of Lynn Edward and Edith (Still) Church. He married Ruth Humberston in 1957, she predeceased him. Ed married Irene M. Howard in 1984.
Ed graduated from Oneonta High School in ‘41 and later attended Cal-Aero Tech Institute in California majoring in Aircraft Maintenance. He served in the United States Army during WWII from1942-1945, and Korea from 1950-1952. Ed was a prop driven aircraft enthusiast, and would have made the Wright Brothers proud. Ed was so enamored by aircraft that he was selected by a commanding officer during the war to be stationed as a spotter for his ability to recognize the different aircrafts by sight and sound.
Ed’s career in Aerospace began at Scintilla/Bendix Aviation in Sidney, NY and ended under the ownership of Amphenol. His expertise was in experimental aircraft harness making. He is a life member of the Wharton Valley American Legion Post #1311, a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, the West Oneonta Baptist Church and the International Association of Machinist & Aerospace Workers Union. For many years he and his wife, Irene, enjoyed traveling and also Square Dancing. Ed also thoroughly enjoyed southern gospel music and was an avid historian of the Civil War.
His devoted wife, Irene, of 27 glorious years; his nieces Carol (Loller) Swenson, Ann Slocum, Thomas Loller, Susan Brandow, Nancy Swanson, Patricia Riddell Kent; his step daughter and husband Linda and Fred Emhof; step grandchildren Jeffrey Arnold (Denise), Mark Arnold (Cynthia), Kevin Howard and Keith Howard; and his step great grandchildren Susan, James, Kathryn and Emily Arnold; and his cousin Mrs. Robert Hodges of Fl. survive Ed.
He was predeceased by his sisters Gladys Swanson, Edna Brandow, Helen Slocum, Edith Loller and Janice Riddell; and his nephews Wayne Swanson and Robert Riddell.
Funeral services will be at the convenience of the family and will be private. Pastor Jay Henderson and The Rev. Harry Myers will officiate.
Interment will be at Edmeston Union Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in Ed’s memory to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care.