Zaidos N. Church

Zaidos Neil Church passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids. 

He was born on July 30, 1942, in Plainwell, the son of James Donald and Edith Mae (Coutcher) Church. Zaidos graduated from Otsego High School in 1960 and from Michigan State University in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in police administration. 

He had been in the ROTC program and entered the U.S. Army following graduation. He served 20 ½ years in the Medical Service Corps and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his time in service, he completed his master’s degree in systems management at the University of Southern California. 

He served tours of duty at various posts in the United States and in Vietnam and Korea. Retiring in 1986, he spent almost one year working with the Shield of Faith Mission International in Floresville, Texas. He returned to Otsego in 1987 to help care for his parents. He worked for several years at Precision Polymer Manufacturing before retiring a second time. 

He served for a time as treasurer of Otsego United Methodist Church and was a part of the early morning men’s Bible study and breakfast group. He sang in the church choir and played handbells in the bell choir. He was also a member of a local square dance club and a demonstration group known as Michigan in Motion. He served for a number of years as treasurer of the Southwest Michigan Square and Round Dance Association. For the last 4 ½ years he has been a resident of Michigan Veterans Home of Grand Rapids, where he received compassionate care.

On July 25, 1964, he married Donna Jeanne Latourette who survives. Also surviving are his son, Peter (Tammy) Church of Otsego; grandchildren, Haley and Tighe; great-grandson, Nathanael; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Roe of Oklahoma and Bonnie Pryor Latourette of Dowagiac along with several nephews and one niece, great nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Sheldon Church and brother-in-law, Ron Latourette. 

Friends may visit with Zaidos’ family starting at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Ron Hansen and Pastor Joe Shaler officiating. 

Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell. 

Contributions in memory of Zaidos may be directed to Michigan Veterans Home of Grand Rapids.

Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.