EDWARD M. COUCH

Oct 3, 1957

MINISTER AT SAVAH DIES IN FLORIDA

Rev. Edward M. Couch, the very capable and popular pastor of Bethesda General Baptist Church at Savah and a South Posey county youth and civic leader with many accomplishments to his credit died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon in Perry Fla.

The Bethesda minister, who was 59 years old last month, left Posey county Monday with his wife, the former Florence Garrison of Evansville, and Mrs Couch's sister who resides in Evansville, for a visit with two other sisters of Mrs. Couch at Tampa, Fla.

Rev. Couch became ill while driving his auto near Perry, Fla.  A doctor summoned to the Home Courts prescribed removal to a hospital in Perry.  Death came as he was being moved from an ambulance into the hospital and was attributed to heart condition.

The Bethesda pastor, who two weeks ago was the moderator for the United General Baptist Association meeting at Boonville, had a busy day Sunday in his church, climaxed by the presentation of Eagle Scout and God and Country Boy Scout awards to two members of Boy Scout Troop No 82, sponsored by Bethesda Church.  The week before he had presided at homecoming services of Bethesda.

The body of the deceased minister will reach Taylor Funeral Home at Boonville late Friday or early Saturday and friends may view the body after Saturday noon.  Funeral arrangements had not been completed today. (Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Boonville, Indiana.)

Surviving in addition to the wife, are three sons and a daughter, Ted Couch, Chicago, David Couch and Mrs. Mary Murphy, Bedford, Ind., and Philip Couch, a student in Oakland City College; six grandchildren, and two brothers, John Couch, Chicago, and Levi Couch, Evansville.  A fifth child died in infancy.

Rev Couch was a native of Warrick county and spent his childhood in the vicinity of Millersburg.  He was orphaned at the age of 11.

After three years study in the Theological Department of Oakland City College, he entered the ministry of the General Baptist Church.  His current pastorate at Bethesda Church was his second ministry there.  He served Bethesda 15 years ago and began his second ministry there in 1955, starting a third year of his second ministry in September.

Rev. Couch, accompanied by his family, served as a General Baptist Missionary on Pacific islands at two intervals.  In 1948, he and his family went to the Island of Guam where they were stationed for 40 months before returning to the States.  In 1953 he went to Chi Chi Jima and served there until 1955.

The deceased minister's service in the Savah community and throughout South Posey county extended beyond the confines of his congregation.  His devotion to civic progress was marked and his contribution to your movements extensive.  He was the founding and guiding spit of Troop 82, Boy Scouts.

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Originally submitted by Betty Sellers