McCOY, Oliver Lyle 1924-2005

MCCOY, BOHNSACK, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 8/7/2011 at 17:19:05

Oliver Lyle McCoy

MASON CITY, IOWA — Oliver Lyle McCoy, the son and middle child of James P. and Hazel M. (Bohnsack) McCoy, was born Aug. 12, 1924, in Mason City and died Tuesday evening (June 7, 2005) at the Veterans Hospital and Rehab Center in Knoxville, Iowa, at the age of 80. Oliver lived in Mason City all his life, most currently at 1045 Sixth St. S.W.

Oliver's life and funeral service will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1309 S. Kentucky Ave. in Mason City, with Bishop Christopher Billings officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors provided by the Mason City Memorial Association.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Oliver L. McCoy Memorial Fund.

Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com web site.

Oliver attended Grant Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High in Mason City. While in his teens, Oliver was unable to attend formal high school due to him working to assist in financially supporting his family. Many years later, he attained his GED certificate, a major accomplishment for him.

Oliver met the love of his life and future wife, Mildred Maxine Christensen on March 11, 1942. The couple was united in marriage in Princeton, Mo., on May 23, 1942, following a whirlwind romance of just a few months. They became the proud parents of six children.

Oliver was deeply saddened when "Maxine" died on June 8, 1989, following 47 years together.

Oliver was inducted into the United States Army on June 3, 1943, in Des Moines and served his country during World War II, achieving the rank of corporal. After honorably and faithfully serving his designated time in the service, Oliver was discharged from his military duties on Dec. 31, 1945, from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and rejoined his family.

Oliver took great pride in providing for his family. He was employed as a maintenance laborer for Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. for 31 years, retiring in 1979.

Some of Oliver's favorite interests and leisure activities throughout his life included tinkering with cars, playing board games, visiting with relatives and friends, walking his dogs, creating craft items and taking family vacations.

Oliver is described as a very patriotic man with a playful sense of humor who always extended an open-door welcome into his home.

He treasured going for drives, especially for ice cream, bowling on leagues, eating brats and sauerkraut and raisin pie, watching favorite television programs and remaining actively involved within his church.

Oliver always maintained that his family was his highest priority. He was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a former commander and lifetime member of the American Legion, a volunteer driver for the Department of Human Services and a former member of The Bishopric at his church.

Oliver found great satisfaction in attending and socializing at the Salvation Army Adult Day Care Center. In 1994, Oliver was a recipient of the Governor's Volunteer Service Award and the RSVP Volunteer Service Award. He was greatly anticipating a special honor day for the veterans at the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville on June 18.

Oliver will be sadly missed by all who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his children, Judy McCoy of Sandy, Utah; Jerree (Kenneth) Whittle of Lebanon, Mo.; Jim (Bev) McCoy of Mason City; Dixie "Jean" McCoy of Mason City and Mary "Chris" (Wayne) Ehrhardt of Marshalltown; his daughter-in-law, Gloria McCoy, of Meriden; and his sister, Bessie Munn, of California. Oliver will also be greatly missed by his 22 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Oliver in death were his wife, Mildred "Maxine" McCoy; his son, John McCoy, in 1988; his brother, Calvin "Sonny" Davis; his parents, James and Hazel McCoy; and his step-father, John Davis.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services (641) 423-8676. www.fullertonfh.com

Globe Gazette, June 10, 2005