Eugene W. "Mac" McCord

A former managing editor of the Bluffton News-Banner, Eugene W. “Mac” McCord died 9:55 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Lincoln Hills Health Care Center in New Albany, Ind. He was 89. A native of West Virginia, Mr. McCord came to Wells County in 1946 when he assumed duties on the editorial staff of the News-Banner. He continued to serve on the newspaper staff for more than 50 years, serving as a general news reporter, sports editor, city editor and for many years in the managing editor’s seat. He was born on Feb. 3, 1921 in Weston, West Virginia to Earl B. and Mary G. (Groves) McCord. He married Jeanne V. Smith on Jan. 30, 1944 in Kent, Ohio. She preceded him in death on May 31, 2009. The McCords were residents of Wells County for 60 years, moving to New Albany in 2006. Mr. McCord graduated from Williamson High School in Mingo County, West Virginia in 1939 and went on to Kent State University where he earned a BA degree in journalism in 1943. He was a member of Blue Key and Delta Upsilon fraternity. Prior to coming to Bluffton, he was employed as a reporter for the Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) Reporter and as an editor of the Newton Falls (Ohio) Herald. He spent three years with the U.S. Army during World War II, including 15 months overseas. Mr. McCord was a past president of the Bluffton Kiwanis Club and served as that organization’s secretary from 1967 through 1991. He also was a past president of the United Press International Newspaper Editors (UPINE) for the state of Indiana in 1966-67 and was the county chairman of the U.S. Savings Bond committee from 1951 to 1957. An active member of the Democratic Party in Wells County, he was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. During that event, he wrote stories and wired reports direct from the convention hall to the News-Banner and to the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. In 1996, as part of ceremonies recognizing his 50 years with the News-Banner, he was named as a “Sagamore of the Wabash” by Gov. Evan Bayh. He and his wife were also grand marshals of the Bluffton Free Street Fair in 1996. Mr. McCord was an active member of the Bluffton First Baptist Church and held various offices, including moderator, deacon, treasurer and Sunday school teacher. Survivors include three daughters, Jennifer (Sam) Crum of Upland, Amy (State Rep. Ed) Clere of New Albany and Susanna McCord of Bluffton; and three sons, Michael (Lucie Dufresne) McCord of Ottawa, Canada, David (Lois) McCord of Phoenix, Ariz., and Dan McCord of St. Louis, Mo. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Matthew Crum, Lynnette Crum, Mallari Crum, Alan Dykes, Lauren Hicks, Megan Rector, John Clere, Hannah Clere, Michael McCord and Colin McCord; two great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, John P. McCord in 1981, and a brother, Ernest E. McCord. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 3, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Bluffton. Ted Ellis will officiate. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. Military Graveside rites will be preformed by the American Legion Post # 111 of Bluffton and the United States Army Honor Guard. Preferred memorials are to the First Baptist Church Deacon Fund or to the local Boy Scouts. A Memorial Service will also be held in New Albany at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Providence Retirement Home in New Albany. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home. 308 West Washington Street, Bluffton, Indiana 46714. Friends can send online condolences to www.thomarich.com

Eugene W. "Mac" McCord

February 3, 1921 - May 26, 2010