Reverend Rollin J. Cossey

87, of Indianapolis, passed away July 1, 2010. He was born August 1, 1922 to the late Rollin J., Sr., and Katherine M. Cossey. Rollin was a 1940 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, a member of the Tech Legion of Honor, and a lieutenant in the R.O.T.C. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving at the Bunker Hill Naval Air Station, where he was appointed to 3rd Class Petty Officer, and storekeeper. He was then transferred to the Philadelphia Navy Yard as acting Paymaster for Ship�s company, while waiting for the ship, U.S.S. Wayne APA54, to be commissioned. This ship was an attack transport. In 1945 he was appointed �Chief Petty Officer Dispersing�, the youngest Chief in the U.S. Navy, at age 23. The U.S.S. Wayne was active in most island landings the U.S. made in the Pacific area, from New Caledonia, north to Nagasaki, Japan. The U.S.S. Wayne traveled 66,000 miles in the Pacific Basin. Chief Cossey was ashore 13 days after the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. He served aboard the U.S.S. Wayne for four years, taking only one leave. Upon return to the states, Rollin married Amelia Hider Cossey, who preceded him in death. He was ordained Priest in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America for life, by Bishop John Craine, who was Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. He was Bishop Craine�s personal chaplain when the Bishop was in his cathedral. Bishop Craine also gave Rev. Cossey his color of purple for his vestments for life. The ordination came after ten years of study under Bishop Craine. He served at Christ Church Cathedral from 1967 until his wife, Amelia, became very sick with cancer in 1997. During his time at the cathedral, he was presenter and Master of Ceremonies for many years. Rev. Cossey was still busy making calls when needed, visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes until his death. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Rollin owned and operated �Cossey�s One Stop Station� an automotive repair and parts distribution center. Visitation will be Friday, today, July 2, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington St. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew�s Episcopal Church, 8320 E. 10th St., Indianapolis. Rev. Cossey�s only daughter, Donna K. Cossey, preceded him in death at age 19. Memorial contributions maybe made to The Cossey Fund, c/o Hancock County Community Foundation, 312 E. Main St., Greenfield, IN, 46140 or online at www.hccf.cc.

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Reverend Rollin J. Cossey

August 1, 1922 - July 1, 2010