Edward L. Cohn

Edward Cohn, 73, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Indianapolis, IN on 12/19/11. He was born 10/25/38 in Gary, IN to his parents, Edward F. Cohn and Tina (Cohn) Deacon who preceded him in death. His brother, David Cohn, and a son, William, also preceded him in death. Ed graduated from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri in 1961 with a B.A. degree in History and Political Science. In 2005 he was appointed to Culver's Alumni Board and served as its president 2006-2008 and was most recently a Member of the Board of Trustees. He earned his Masters Degree in Forensic Studies from Indiana University in 1977 and served in the Marine Corps, discharging in 1962. Ed's long and distinguished career in Corrections began in 1965 as a parole agent in the Gary District office. In 1971 he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of the Indiana Boys' School and in 1977 he was promoted to Asst. Supt. of the Indiana State Prison. He was Superintendent of the Indiana State Farm and in 1985 was promoted to Superintendent at the Indiana Reformatory. He finished his career as Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction, retiring in 2001. He then served as Director of the National Major Gang Task Force for 9 years. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Correctional Association, Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Correctional Association, National Institute of Justice, the Swiss Institute of Criminology, and Special Olympics Indiana. He was awarded the "Sagamore of the Wabash" by Governor Frank O'Bannon. Sports was always a great part of Ed's life and he was a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and I.U. Basketball. He was in the College Football Hall of Fame for his years playing football at Culver-Stockton College. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Jean, his sons, Matt (Jennifer) Cohn of Indianapolis and Tim (Taryn) Cohn of New Orleans, his daughter Karen McCreary, his sister, Marsha (Doug)Johnson, and 5 grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and family. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at Flanner and Buchanan – Washington Park East 10722 E. Washington St. Indianapolis. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 and after 10:00 am Friday at the funeral center. Burial will be at 11:00 am CST Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 at Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City, Indiana Memorial contributions may be made to Culver-Stockton College. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan