Rev. Vernon W. McDormand

Rev. Vernon W. McDormand, 88, of Everett Street, Benton, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning, March 30th, 2011 at his home. Born May 4, 1922 in Westport, Nova Scotia, he was the youngest son of the late William and Fanny McDormand. He was preceded in death by his wife, Noreen E. (Nickleson) McDormand on December 23, 2007 following 60 years of marriage. At age 17, he moved to Toronto, Ontario, where he entered the College of Churches of Christ (Disciples of Christ) in Canada. In 1940 he became the student pastor of the Winger Church of Christ, Wainfleet, Ontario. While serving this church he finished High School and spent ten months in the Canadian Military and then graduated from the Ontario Bible College, Toronto, Ontario. In 1947 he and his wife, Noreen, married and in 1949, upon graduation moved to Illinois, where he entered Eureka College, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor Degree. While in Eureka College, he served two different student Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Ruland, and Flanagan, Illinois. Later Rev. McDormand became the pastor of the First Christian Church in Gibson City, Illinois, resigning in 1960 to enter the Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, KY where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree (currently a Master of Divinity degree). While in Seminary he served as Student Pastor at Old Union Christian Church, Kentucky and Houstonville Christian Church. Also while in Seminary he worked at the State Mental Hospital in Lexington, KY. Following graduation he and his wife pastored the First Christian Church of Mt. Sterling, Illinois and then the First Christian Church in Gibson City, Illinois. While in Gibson City, he took four quarters of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Woodville State Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA and was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches as an Institutional Chaplain. He then became Chaplain at the State Correctional Institution at Greensburg, PA and later at Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh. In 1983, Rev. and Mrs. McDormand moved to Benton to pastor the Benton Christian Church where he retired in 1998. He and his wife were also active with the Church Camp at Nordmont for many years. While pastoring the Benton Christian Church he was recognized at a celebration for his 50 years of service in the ministry. Following his retirement he pastored St. Peters United Church of Christ in Hobbie, PA for three years. He was a member of Oriental Lodge No. 460, F. & A. M., Orangeville and a 25 year member of the Benton Lions Club. He loved to travel with his close friends, Gary and Alice Strauch. Surviving are his three children: Kenneth Henry McDormand and his wife, Lynn, of Racine, Wisconsin; Rev. Dorothy Ann McDormand and her life partner, Rosemary Duffy, of Pittsburgh; Frances McDormand and her husband, Joel Coen, Manhattan, NY; 4 grandchildren: Kenneth McDormand, Jr. and his wife, Cherie, Pontiac, IL; Sheri Dawn McDormand, Lincoln, Nebraska; Brian Lee McDormand, Bloomington, IL; Pedro McDormand Coen of Manhattan, NY; 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandson; a brother, Gerald McDormand and his wife, Frances, of Victoria, British Columbia; his close friends: Gary and Alice Strauch, of Waller and his close friend and care-giver, Bert Getz. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters and a brother. Funeral Services will be held Monday at 11 AM at the Benton Christian Church, Third and Church Streets, Benton. The Rev. Dr. David Mansfield and the Rev. James Donahoo, will officiate. Private burial will be in the Waller Cemetery, Jackson Township. There will be a viewing Sunday evening, from 6 to 8 PM at the Benton Christian Church and also Monday morning from 10 AM until the time of the Service at the Church. There will be a Masonic Service Sunday evening at 8:00 at the Church.

Rev. Vernon W. McDormand

May 4, 1922 - March 30, 2011