Donald E. Church, 87, of Ely, passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 1, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on January 4, 1932. Don was a retired U.S. Navy veteran who proudly served aboard the USS Oglethorpe during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1985. Don was a member of the Ely Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion and the VFW.
Don was pre-deceased by his parents, Enid and William, and his grandparents, William and Marguerite, and brother-in-law, Lynn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances; children, Elaine (Wayne) and Edward (Margie); grandchildren Sara (Ben), Emily (Mike), Zachary (Gretchen) and Dylan; great-grandchildren Carter and Caylee; sisters Mary, Shirley, Roberta (Cliff) and Lucille (Bob); and several nieces and nephews.