EL DORADO

Eddie Ray Church was born June 13, 1946 to Marvin Church and Lela May Riggs at St Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS. Eddie passed on to Glory on December 7, 2-18. His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 3 pm at Heritage Funeral Home in El Dorado, KS. A pot luck dinner will follow the service at True Lies in El Dorado.

E ddie is preceded in death by his father, Marvin Church, his mother, Lela May Riggs McLaughlin, and his brother, Jack Church. He is survived by three brothers: Thomas Church, Kansas; James Church, El Dorado, KS; and Donny Gasser, OK. He is survived by six children: Shyanne Church and fiancé, Dalton Cypret, El Dorado, KS; Tina Marie Church, Yates Center, KS; Shane Church and wife April, Pryor, OK; Eddie Ray Church, Jr., El Dorado, KS; Todd Wane, Wichita, KS; and Stephanie McDonald and fiancé, Dustin Brummett, El Dorado, KS. He had 15 grandchildren, including Rowdy Ray Cypret and Carter Christine Cypret of the home. He also had 10 great grandchildren.

E ddie will be remembered fondly as a devoted father, a loving grandfather, brother, a trusted uncle, friend, mentor, teacher, and practical jokester. He truly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He had a deep love for his youngest daughter, Shyanne, and spent countless hours just talking and laughing with her through the years. Eddie also loved his dogs, Dewy and Daisy, and was known to spoil them every chance he got by "sneaking" them treats from his own plate. Eddie will be remembered also as being a hard worker and a skilled mechanic. He enjoyed working on motorcycles, and was a gifted artist, as evidenced by his artwork on the motorcycles he painted, and the drawings he created for Shyanne.

A s anyone who ever met Eddie can attest to, when you became a part of his world, you remained a part of his extended family. So many of Shyanne's friends considered Eddie to be a "bonus" father to them, and he carried the role well. Whether teaching them various lessons about life and the world, teasing them relentlessly, or just sitting and listening to them tell their stories, he carved out a special place in each of their hearts that will always remain.

E ddie fought a long battle with numerous health problems over the years, eventually requiring extensive in-home care. He was lovingly cared for by his daughter, Shyanne, and his nephew, Jonathan Leavins, who he considered to be more of a son to him than a nephew. It was through the love and gentle care he received from all his family and home health care workers that he was able to have so many full, happy years at the end of his journey. After an extended hospital stay, he came back home where he was surrounded by his family in an atmosphere of love when he was called Home. In true Eddie style, he got to have the final word on when, where, and how he left this world. The legacy of love, family, and his "work hard, play harder" attitude will continue to live on in the lives and hearts of his family and friends.

M emorial donations may be made to the family to assist with expenses.