Orville H. Mckay

Orville H. McKay, age 96 of Midland died Sunday, October 3, 2010 at his residence. He was born on October 9, 1913 in Croswell, Michigan, the son of the late Herbert W. McKay and Iva M. (Perry) McKay. He lived the first seventeen years of his life in Croswell where he attended both elementary and High School where he was graduated the salutatorian of his class. Orville's college training was received in Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, where he received his A.B. degree cum laude in English and psychology. He took his seminary training in Asbury Theological Seminary and Drew Theological Seminary receiving his seminary degree from Drew summa cum laude. He continued his studies at Drew University and received his Ph. D. degree. Orville was also awarded the Deleplaine-McDaniel Fellowship for study abroad, which he did in Oxford University. In August 1935 he married Mabel Coppock. Their 63 years together took them to pastoral appointments in New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and the chaplaincy of the U. S. Army Air Corps. Dr. McKay served the First United Methodist Church in Midland from 1951 to 1965 when the church grew to become the largest Methodist church in Michigan. Under his leadership a second United Methodist Church (Aldersgate) was founded in Midland. From Midland he became president of Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. After serving at Garrett he became the Senior Minister of the Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville, Wisconsin; this was the largest United Methodist Church in Wisconsin. Members of the First United Methodist Church and the Cargill United Methodist Church, together with friends and family, established the Orville H. McKay Endowed Scholarship Fund in Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. This Scholarship Fund assists qualified students in getting their preparation for the ministry. He served on numerous boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church. For a number of years he was the chairman of the Detroit Annual Conference Board of Ministerial Training responsible for candidates for the ministry. His personal hobbies were racquet ball, photography, reading and carpentry. He and Mrs. McKay had a mutual love of traveling which took them all over the United States and Canada and thirty one countries of the world. The McKays returned to Midland in 1980 for their retirement. His retirement was very active. Dr. McKay served in an interim capacity involving ten appointments during his retirement. He was a past member of the Kiwanis, Rotary, the Torch Club and the Masons.

His wife, Mabel, predeceased him. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Gwendolyn Wasmuth of Lake Forest, IL, Janeth and Amherst Turner of Ann Arbor, Kathleen and William Gilbert of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by five grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, October 7, 2010 from the Midland First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Brent McCumons and Rev. Dr. William Mate officiating. Interment will be in Midland Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorials may be offered to Lake Louise Christian Community, designated for the construction of the McKay Lodge, at Lake Louise United Methodist Camp, 11037 Thumb Lake Rd., Boyne Falls, MI 49713, or to the charity of choice.