NORTH EASTHAM, MA - Alton Richard Church, 79, of 85 Rolling Lane, formerly of Meriden, CT, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Harbor Hill Care Center in Middletown, CT. He was the husband of Barbara Messner Church. Born in Meriden on Aug. 24, 1923, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Leone Maronde Church. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was employed as Superintendent of Maintenance at World Tableware in Wallingford for forty-four years. He was a member of American Legion Post #45 of South Meriden, CT, the Legion Post in Orleans, MA, Elks Lodge #35 in Meriden, Elks Lodge #2572 in North Eastham and the Golf Club in Wellfleet, MA. He also was a member of the Wallingford, CT State Guard for ten years. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Enid Learned of Meriden and Holly and Francis Solecki of Boca Raton, FL; a sister, Marcia Thornton of Southington, CT; a sister-in-law, Irene Church of Meriden; a grandson and his wife, Kevin and Melinda Learned of Meriden; two great granddaughters, Caitlin Falkowski and Portia Learned, both of Meriden; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Wayne Church and a son-in-law, Newall Learned. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden. The Rev. Anne Jensen will officiate. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. If desired, contributions in Mr. Church's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2911 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.