CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Rev. Coy Cleghorn, 77
September 17, 2002        
 
Rev. Coy Cleghorn, 77, of Elgin, a former Assembly of God church minister in Elgin and Des Plaines, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Saturday, Sept. 14, in Arlington Rehabilitation and Living Center in Long Grove. He was born and raised in Alleene, Ark.. He served four years in the Navy in World War II. He received a bachelor's degree in theology from Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., in 1949. He was ordained that year and served in several pastoral positions at Assembly of God churches in Sheridan and England, Ark. In the late 1950s he became associate pastor of Northwest Assembly of God Church in Des Plaines. In 1960 he became senior pastor at Elgin Assembly of God Church, where he stayed until the mid-1970s. He was senior pastor of the Assembly of God church in Olney, Ill.. when he retired in 1985. "He really had a passion for hospital visitation and just caring for his flock overall," said his daughter Pam Oates. Rev. Cleghorn moved back to Elgin and in the 1990s worked as a greeter in the Wal-Mart store in East Dundee. He also filled in for vacationing pastors at Assembly of God churches in the northwest suburbs. Other survivors include two more daughters, Cathy Wozniak and Debb; four brothers, Odean, Thomas, Lewis and Rodney; a sister, Floydene; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Highland Fellowship Church, 2250 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.