Obituary for June A. Churchill
June (Austin) Churchill of West Valley passed away at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo on Friday, June 10, 2022, just a few days before her 104th birthday.
She was born on her family’s farm in Machias, NY, and also graduated from high school in Machias. June went on to attend Houghton College before marrying her late husband Wesley Churchill on Christmas Eve in 1937. They were married for nearly 74 years. Together, the couple owned and operated Churchill’s Hardware in West Valley.
June was known for her faith in Jesus Christ, love for her family, and caring and compassion for others. She and Wes were longtime members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in West Valley and were active in many ministries of the church.
The couple’s greatest passion was doing missionary work in Haiti. Between 1974 and 1997, they made dozens of trips, including taking each of their grandchildren as a graduation gift. Through their organization, Haiti Gospel Mission, the Churchills were instrumental in establishing five churches, five schools, a child sponsorship program and a medical clinic.
Before the medical clinic opened its doors in 1995, June would consult the book “Where There Is No Doctor” and the Physician’s Desk Reference in order to treat minor injuries and illnesses. Because of Wes and June’s commitment to providing desperately needed medical care for the Haitian people, Haiti Gospel Mission dedicated the Churchill Lab in their honor a decade ago.
June and Wes loved traveling. They visited many countries overseas and also took their camper on trips to locations across the United States, from Alaska to Maine.
Throughout her life, June was an avid reader. When she could no longer see to read, she listened to recordings of books.
June was the youngest child of the late Ernest and Bess (Burr) Austin. In addition to her beloved husband, she was predeceased by her siblings Edwin (Anna) Austin, Charlotte (Milton) Parker, Bertrice (Eugene) Baynon, and Francis (Frances) Austin, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by daughters Judy (late David) Lawton of Lake Wylie, SC, and Jacque (George) Neudeck of West Valley; grandchildren Kim Lawton of Arlington, Va., Holly Lawton and Ed (Robyn) Lawton, both of Lake Wylie, Julie Neudeck of Conshohocken, Pa., and Jason (Rebecca) Neudeck of Boston, NY; great-grandchildren Tom (Nicole) Lawton of Columbia, SC, Zac Lawton of Reston, Va., Eddy (Kiara) Lawton of Charlotte, NC, Emmalee (Will) Ford of Gaffney, SC, and Nathan, Hannah, John and Michaela Neudeck of Boston, NY; two nephews and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Thursday, June 16, from 4-7 p.m. at Smith-Weismantel Funeral Home, 271 East Main Street, Springville, NY 14141. A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, June 17, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 9372 Route 240, West Valley, NY 14171.
Memorials may be made to Haiti Gospel Mission via Jacque Neudeck or to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
She was born on her family’s farm in Machias, NY, and also graduated from high school in Machias. June went on to attend Houghton College before marrying her late husband Wesley Churchill on Christmas Eve in 1937. They were married for nearly 74 years. Together, the couple owned and operated Churchill’s Hardware in West Valley.
June was known for her faith in Jesus Christ, love for her family, and caring and compassion for others. She and Wes were longtime members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in West Valley and were active in many ministries of the church.
The couple’s greatest passion was doing missionary work in Haiti. Between 1974 and 1997, they made dozens of trips, including taking each of their grandchildren as a graduation gift. Through their organization, Haiti Gospel Mission, the Churchills were instrumental in establishing five churches, five schools, a child sponsorship program and a medical clinic.
Before the medical clinic opened its doors in 1995, June would consult the book “Where There Is No Doctor” and the Physician’s Desk Reference in order to treat minor injuries and illnesses. Because of Wes and June’s commitment to providing desperately needed medical care for the Haitian people, Haiti Gospel Mission dedicated the Churchill Lab in their honor a decade ago.
June and Wes loved traveling. They visited many countries overseas and also took their camper on trips to locations across the United States, from Alaska to Maine.
Throughout her life, June was an avid reader. When she could no longer see to read, she listened to recordings of books.
June was the youngest child of the late Ernest and Bess (Burr) Austin. In addition to her beloved husband, she was predeceased by her siblings Edwin (Anna) Austin, Charlotte (Milton) Parker, Bertrice (Eugene) Baynon, and Francis (Frances) Austin, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by daughters Judy (late David) Lawton of Lake Wylie, SC, and Jacque (George) Neudeck of West Valley; grandchildren Kim Lawton of Arlington, Va., Holly Lawton and Ed (Robyn) Lawton, both of Lake Wylie, Julie Neudeck of Conshohocken, Pa., and Jason (Rebecca) Neudeck of Boston, NY; great-grandchildren Tom (Nicole) Lawton of Columbia, SC, Zac Lawton of Reston, Va., Eddy (Kiara) Lawton of Charlotte, NC, Emmalee (Will) Ford of Gaffney, SC, and Nathan, Hannah, John and Michaela Neudeck of Boston, NY; two nephews and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Thursday, June 16, from 4-7 p.m. at Smith-Weismantel Funeral Home, 271 East Main Street, Springville, NY 14141. A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, June 17, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 9372 Route 240, West Valley, NY 14171.
Memorials may be made to Haiti Gospel Mission via Jacque Neudeck or to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.