Joseph McCoy
Memorial services to celebrate the life of Joseph E. “Joe” McCoy, of DeWitt were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 16550 290th St., Long Grove. Per his wish, cremation rites have been accorded and inurnment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, DeWitt, following the services at St. Ann’s. Joe died on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at his home in DeWitt. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home assisted Joe’s family with arrangements. The McCoy family invited you to join them at noon at Lady Di’s in Park View, please dress casually and come have a last one on Joe.
Joe was born in Clinton on Aug. 2, 1951, a son of James H. and Marguerite (McDevitt) McCoy. He was raised and educated in DeWitt, graduating in the Class of 1969. His formative years were spent on the hill west of Charlotte on the Joe R. Brown Ranch, where he learned many of life’s lessons. He was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Ann’s Parish, Long Grove. Joe was a proud member of Local 537 Operating Engineers based in Rock Island, and a staunch supporter of Local 234 Operating Engineers, Des Moines. He was also a long-time member of Moose Lodge 1945, Buena Park, Colo., and was a former member of the K of C.
Joe began “chasing” pipelines in 1971 and, until his retirement in 2010, he worked on most of the major pipelines built in the “Lower 48.” He became quite well known in that field. Joe maintained a home in the general DeWitt area, but he truly loved the mountains, deserts and beaches of the western U.S., especially California.
He is survived by his sister Mary McCoy, DeWitt, and his brother, Thomas (Rose) McCoy, Iowa City; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, many cousins, and his true friends to the very end, J. B. and Bradley Gezel. Joe died as he lived – with dignity.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, many aunts, uncles, cousins and his good friend and mentor, Joe R. Brown. May he and those that went before him rest in peace.
Memorials may be made in Joe’s name to the Hope Lodge, Rochester, Minn., or St. Ann’s, Long Grove.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Joe’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
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