Funeral Service Set for Aliso High Sailor Chase Church

A funeral Mass will be held Friday morning for Aliso Niguel High School graduate Chase Church, 23, who died Feb. 8 in Chicago after he was hit by a train while trying to cross the tracks with his fellow Navy recruits.

The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33926 Calle la Primavera, in Dana Point. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Ascension Cemetery, 24754 Trabuco Rd. in Lake Forest.

A vigil will take place at St. Edward on Thursday at 7 p.m. There will be a reception following the Mass on Friday at 11:30 a.m. 

The accident occurred only one day after Church, a Laguna Niguel resident,  graduated from an eight-week training course in Chicago with the Navy's hospital corps. 

News reports said Church was hit by Union Pacific North Line train No. 343 from Chicago to Kenosha, WI, at about 6:15 p.m. Central time.

Church's uncle Tom Berney of Laguna Niguel has fond memories of his nephew. “When Chase played Little League baseball at Crown Valley Park, watching him play third base one game, he turned a rare triple play," Berney recalled. "Chase caught a line drive, stepped on third, threw to second. … I also remember taking him to Dave & Buster's and just being buddies, watching his enthusiasm playing soccer for Aliso High School. … This has brought our family close, and my sister’s church, St. Timothy's, has been wonderful. Our hearts are broken."

Berney added that Church, who also worked at his brother’s horse stables,  touched many hearts. “The outpouring of grief and love for him is wonderful," he said. "His eyes would gleam when he talked to you.”

Church, who graduated from Aliso Niguel High School in 2006, was hoping to become an anesthesiologist. A quote from his Facebook page regarding his goal said, "Don't try to tell me I can't or I won't … 'cause I believe you can do anything you want."

He was on his way toward his goal, graduating third in his class, and with distinction. Graduating with distinction requires a score of 90 percent or better and qualified him to train with the Naval Surgical School in San Antonio, TX.

Church had just announced his graduation on Facebook hours before the accident. His last post on Feb. 8 at 4:45 a.m. reads: "Graduation today, freaking finally." 

Chase is survived by his mother, Patti Church, who runs local charity WelcomeINN, and his fiancée, Cameron Butler.

Editor's note: If you knew Chase and/or would like to leave a message, please do so in the comment box below.