Norman R. Rough

Norman R. Rough, 80, of Meadville, a lay minister and former Farm Credit manager, died Sunday at Meadville City Hospital following several months' illness.

He was born in Canal Township, Venango County, April 26, 1902, a son of Milton and Ida Orr Rough.  He spent his younger life in that area an attended school in that district.

He was married to the former Madeline Jolley of Rocky Grove in May 28, 1927, and they observed their 55th wedding anniversary this year.

They lived on a Canal Township farm for a number of years and he was engaged in farming, later working for Farm Security.

Mr. Rough and his wife moved to Meadville in 1948 and he was manager of the Farm Credit Assn. office there until his retirement in 1967.  He had charge of the Farm Credit activities in a six-county area.

Mr. Rough was a lay speaker for 15 years in many churches of Erie, Crawford and Venango County before he was commissioned a lay minister of the United Church of Christ in 1976.  He continued his work throughout the district and held many services in rest homes and had monthly services at the Crawford County Jail.  He was formerly an officer in the Greater Meadville Assn. of Churches.

He was a member of the Park Congregational Church, Meadville.

While residing in Venango County he was active in grange work.  Mr. Rough held offices in Canal Grange, served as Venango County Pomona Master and as a state deputy.  During World War II, he was on Draft Board No. 2 in Venango County.

In addition to his wife, Madeline, he is survived by two sons, Donald E. of Walkersville, MD and Paul E. of Meadville; a brother, Emery Rough of Youngstowns, OH; several nieces and nephews; three grandsons, Ronald and Larry Rough of Maryland and Robert Rough of Boulder, CO and five great-grandchildren, three in Maryland and two in Colorado.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Peters Cemetery, Venango County.