WARSAW- Rev. Norman Edward McCoy, 85, of Bridge St., passed away Monday evening, Oct. 17, 2011 at the Coshocton Health and Rehabilitation Center. He had been a patient of the facility for 3 A½ months following a fall at his residence in Warsaw.
He was born July 6, 1926 in Anderson, IN to the late Walter A. and Alma (Brattain) McCoy. At the age of four months he became blind due to congenital glaucoma. He had wonderful parents who nurtured him in the Christian faith from an early age. For his elementary and secondary education he attended the Indiana School for the Blind in Indianapolis. Following high school, he enrolled in Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. There he majored in English and minored in Speech. He also took four years of Voice. He then attended Asbury Theological Seminary for two years. In his senior year he was chosen to sing the baritone solo in the college's rendition of "The Mesiah". He also was elected to the "Who's Who in American Colleges & Universities". He graduated the Seminary in 1952.
Following college, he led singing for revivals in 19 states, traveling by train, airplane, and automobile to get to his destination. On Sept. 5, 1970, he married Donna May Smailes, who had been teaching in New Mexico. Following their marriage, he became a rehabilitation counselor for the blind in 18 counties in the southwestern part of Indiana.
In 1978, he went back into song evangelism and also did some preaching. By 1983, he was ordained Deacon of the Free Methodist Church of North America, and was also assigned to the Flat Rock F.M.C. in Illinois. In 1986, he was ordained elder of that denomination. He was later assigned to Neoga, IL F.M.C. for five years, Tunnel Hill F.M.C. in southern Indiana for two years, and Columbis City, IN F.M.C. for four years.
In 1997, he and his wife moved to Warsaw to be closer to family. From 1999 to 2002, he pastured at the Blissfield United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the River View Ministerial Association for twelve years.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Donna May McCoy of Warsaw, as well as many other extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at the Blissfield U.M.C., with Rev. Richard King & Pastor Ron Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Blissfield Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to service time at the church. The Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw is handling arrangements. www.fischerfuneralhome.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the Warsaw Nazarene Church, 123 Bridge St., Warsaw, OH 43844, or to the Blissfield U.M.C., 42229 CR 318, Blissfield, OH 43805.
