Robert Allen Coy, age 95 of Milroy, Indiana passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 at Greensburg, Indiana. Robert Allen was born on Friday, July 20, 1923 in Florence, Indiana the son of Robert and Emma (Phillips) Coy. He attended Florence Elementary School and Patriot High School. Robert did not want to go to school for his freshman year because of being initiated. He did go back but then didn’t want to go for his sophomore year using work on the farm as an excuse. However, Robert was a great student and athlete so his softball coach, Mr. Johnson, who nicknamed Robert “Hoss” and the principal, Mr. Guy Harris, paid a visit to the farm to talk to Robert’s father. They asked his father if he could do without Robert on the farm and his father said he could, therefore, Robert returned for his sophomore year. During his time at Patriot High School, he played softball and basketball, was an honor student, and graduated in 1942. On August 14, 1943, Robert married Naomi Jean Slack. Ten children were born into this union. Robert was inducted into the United States Army on March 29, 1945, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. He served during World War II as a Mess Sergeant in Seoul, Korea. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1946. Shortly after being discharged from the military in 1946 and returning to Florence, Indiana, Robert attended a tent meeting on Bethel Ridge where he was saved. He then attended Bethel Ridge Holiness Church and later Vevay Holiness Tabernacle. After moving to Rush County, he attended Clarksburg Holiness Church. Robert spent most of his life near Florence, Indiana where he raised his family and farmed. In addition to farming, he worked several years for Slawson Implement Company, Vevay, Indiana; Randall Textron Company, Vevay, Indiana; and Barber Grocery, Madison, Indiana. In 2009 Robert was a member of the Indiana Honor Flight that traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial. This trip was a highlight of his life. However, Robert loved his family, farming, and serving God more than anything.
Robert is survived by his wife of 75 years, Naomi Jean and their ten children: Carolyn Sue (Stan) Whalen, Louis Allen Coy, Donna Jean Harlow, Glenda Lou (Jim) Brown, Joan (Don) Wipf, Doris Jan (Terry) Young, Benita Colleen (William) Kaffenberger, Nathan Lynn Coy, Jonathan Edward (Lisa) Coy, and Melanie Kay (Terry) McQueen. Surviving grandchildren include: Christopher Dean (Stephanie) Whalen, Nicole Lynne (Todd) Little, Angela Renae (David) Todd, Michelle Ann (Kenny) Dooley, John Allen (Kimberly) Brogan, Jody David (Brandi) Brogan, Darin Lee (Tabitha) Simpson, Denton Lane (Kami) Simpson, Brett Eric (Kisha) Kaffenberger, Lindsay Jo (Eric) Herzog, Craig Matthew (Shannon) Johns, Jacqueline Colleen (Zach) Russell, Moriah Jane (A.J.) Riley, Brett Edward (Tara) Coy, Alan Daniel (Brittany) Coy, Brooke Suzanne Coy, Katie Dawn Coy, Mark Allen (Patricia) McQueen, Melinda Lee McQueen, and granddaughter-in-law Rhonda Lynn Lukie. Robert is also survived by 39 great- grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, sister-in-law Nettie Coy, nieces Judy (Coy) May, Lee Ann (Coy) Cicero, Jill Coy, Jade (Coy) Lopez and nephew Jerry Coy.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Emma Coy, two sisters; Helen Marie Coy and Elizabeth Coy; two brothers Harold Louis Coy and Wilford Eugene Coy; sisters-in-law Freda (Shadday) Coy and Marilyn (Warner) Coy; niece Betty (Coy) Lock; son-in-law George A. Harlow; two grandsons William Dennis Lukie, Jr. and Robert Stacy Brown; granddaughter Brittani Gail Coy, great grandson Robert Coy Brown, and great granddaughter Olivia Gail Coy.
Friends may call 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., by Rev. Wayne Mahoney at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Florence Cemetery, Florence, Indiana.
Pallbearers include: John Allen Brogan, Christopher Dean Whalen, Jody David Brogan, Darin Lee Simpson, Denton Lane Simpson, Craig Matthew Johns, Brett Edward Coy, and Alan Daniel Coy.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Florence Cemetery Association. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com