Roger McCoy

A good listener, supportive, and always willing to help someone in need are just a few ways to describe Roger McCoy.  A few events from 1935 that occurred in history include:   the Amelia Earhart solo flight across the Pacific, Parker Brothers release the game Monopoly, nylon was first introduced, and on September 22, 1935 in Noble County, Indiana Dale and LaVelda (Keller)McCoy welcomed the birth of William Roger McCoy.

Roger had a bit of an ornery streak in him that show at times.  Two great examples are when he locked his teacher in a coal shed and another time he threatened to date the principal's daughter if the principal got him in trouble.  On the way to a date with JoAnn one night Roger’s sister Herm snuck into his car to go along.  After finding her, he made her get out and walk home.

Roger attended Churubusco High School and graduated with the Class of 1953. He then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, where he worked on tanks at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  While on guard duty, a commanding officer approached Roger, but was told to stop or get shot.  Upon failing to stop Roger shot the officer with a blank.  Afterwards the officer told Roger that “You did the right thing but son don't do that again”.  On April 12, 1958 he married JoAnn Vandersaul at Big Lake Church of God, after being introduced by a mutual friend.

Roger loved to travel and took many memorable family vacations in a camper or motorhome over the course of 50 years.

Roger worked as a machine repairman for the Dana Corporation for over 30 years until his retirement in 1998. On the farm Roger was the original MacGyver and made anything out of literally nothing.  He also enjoyed working on cars, going to auctions and sales, and having campfires. He was a member of the North Webster Church of God and taught Sunday School for many years.

In his free time Roger could be found watching the Antique Tractor show, old westerns with John Wayne, or listening to southern gospel music.  Roger will always be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

William Roger McCoy, age 85, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 11:01 am on Sunday September 27, 2020 at his residence

Survivors include his loving wife JoAnn E. McCoy of Columbia City; children Dawn McCoy and Michael (Michele) McCoy, both of Columbia City; granddaughter Caitlyn McCoy of Columbia City; sister Hermione (Ralph) Stanley of Churubusco.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son David Roger McCoy, and sisters Jennie Mae King and Dorothy Adams.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 3-7 pm Wednesday September 30, 2020 at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. With the current Executive Order, face masks are required for attendance.

Funeral services for Roger will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, October 1, 2020 at the funeral home.   Burial in Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. With limited seating, the funeral service may also be watched live on Facebook through DeMoney Grimes Live . Memorial donations may be given in memory of to The Gideons International.  Visit www.demoneygrimes.com  to send Roger's family online condolences.