Norman "Mac" McElheny

McElheny Norman "Mac" McElheny, age 89, of Hilliard, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Born in Tiffin, Ohio to the late Glenn and Marie McElheny, he was a graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School, Class of 1943. Before entering the United States Navy in World War II, Mac played on the 1944 Ohio State University National Championship team and lettered as a freshman. After the war, he played at Heidelberg College and received his BA degree in Business Education. He received his MA degree from The Ohio State University. Mac was a business education teacher, football coach and athletic director and served the Hilliard Schools for 34 years. Known throughout the community as "Mac," McElheny was referred to by many simply as "Coach." Coach Mac was a member of the Tiffin Columbian High School Hall of Fame, the Heidelberg College Football Hall of Fame, was the 1962 Central Ohio Football Coach of the Year, named to the Ohio High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and was Hilliard High School Athletic Director from 1958-84 and started most of the athletic programs in the Hilliard system. Active in his community, Mac was Kiwanian of the Year in 1991-92 and again in 2002-03. He was also inducted into the Hilliard Senior Hall of Fame and was named Grand Marshall of the July 4th Parade in 2012. Mac and his wife were active members of Hilliard United Methodist Church. A member of the Hilliard Kiwanis Club, McElheny each year managed the club's sausage booth at the Franklin County Fair and OSU's Farm Science Review. That work alone helped raise $20,000 annually for community projects. After he retired, Mac was known to provide transportation and breakfast to senior citizens, old students and friends who needed a helping hand or moral support. Every time one of his friends was sick or dying, or needed something, he was there. In addition to all of his accomplishments and service, he was a loving and attentive husband and family man. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son James, his sister Joyce McElheny, and his brother-in-law Norm Mosier. He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Joan McElheny; his sister, Audrey Mosier of Vermilion, OH. and her family; his children, John (Julie) of Hilliard, Robert (Nancy) of Galloway and Stephen of Hilliard; his grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew (Bethany), Tiffani, Cara (Michael) Reese, Suzanne (Gregory Stevenson) McElheny and Nickolas (Sara); great-grandchildren, Ian, Caleb, Alison, Alban, Juliet, Zane, Trey and Lilliana; brother-in-law, Ralph (Kathy) Root of Hilliard and their family; sister-in-law, Virginia (John) Stiffler of Brandon, FL and their family; and many friends. Visitation hours will be held 4-8 p.m. THURSDAY and again 9-10 a.m. FRIDAY at HILLIARD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 5445 Scioto Darby Road, Hilliard, OH 43026, where Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 with Reverend Dr. Todd Anderson, officiating. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. If they choose, friends may make memorial contributions to Hilliard United Methodist Church Memorials, 5445 Scioto Darby Road, Hilliard, OH 43026. The TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026, (614)-876-1722 assisted the family.