Howard Victor Cox's Obituary
Howard Victor Cox, age 95, of Martinsville, IL passed away peacefully at 9:10 AM CST on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 23, 1921 in rural Kansas, IL, the youngest son of Walter Scott Cox and Ada (Addie) Ethel Marrs Cox. On January 4, 1948 he married Mabel Eileen Bean in Marshall, IL. Howard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mabel Cox of Martinsville, IL; daughter, Brenda Thompson and husband Bob of Erie, IL; daughter, Sandy Cox of Casey, IL; son, Mike Cox and wife Joyce of Chippewa Falls, WI; daughter Gail (Gig) Simonton and husband Ron of Martinsville, IL; son Rob Cox and wife Rachel of Oakland, IL; grandchildren, Reanna Davis, Craig (Angie) Thompson, Paige Thompson, Leslee Ann (Brandon) Harris, Nathan Cox, Nici (Todd) Evers and Jordan ("Gordon") Simonton; great grandchildren, Christian, Eithan and Kyler Davis, Marissa Stoddard, Jacob Large, Sierra Koehn, Craig Thompson, Jr., Paul(y) Maynard, Charlie Victor Harris, Kimberly Ann-Marie Harris and Grace Evers and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ivan and Kenneth Cox; sister, Dorothy Geffs Phillips and a son, Paul Russell Cox. Howard was a lifelong farmer and a former school bus driver for the Martinsville, IL school district. Also, in the 1950's he had worked for Merkle Broom factory in Paris IL for 10 years. Howard was a member of the First Christian Church in Marshall, IL and a Deacon and an Elder at Pleasant Hill Christian church in rural Kansas, IL. He enjoyed Bluegrass music and played his guitar and would sing all the old songs of his time. In his retirement years, he enjoyed the little things in life, reading the daily newspaper, (every single word) and he studied his Bible and class lesson every morning after breakfast. He was an avid Dale Earnhardt and NASCAR fan, (except when Toyotas were winning) and riding around the farm in his golf cart. Howard had a wonderful sense of humor with a quick wit and always made everyone laugh! Funeral services will be held at 11 AM CST on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the Greenwell Funeral Home with Pastor Russell Witmer and Pastor John Cutshall officiating. Burial will follow in the Ridgelawn Cemetery, Martinsville, IL. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Monday evening at the Greenwell Funeral Home, 30 N. Washington St., Martinsville, IL. Memorial donations and contributions may be made to the family c/o Greenwell Funeral Home, PO Box 387, Martinsville, IL 62442. Memorial tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwellfh.com. Greenwell Funeral Home of Martinsville, IL is in charge of the arrangements. Special recognition with much love and gratitude to our care givers; Janice Crane, Amanda Cade, Rachel Wilson, Sandy Currey and Julee Dugan. Also, to Sandy, Leslee Ann and all his children. SERVICES Visitation Monday, August 29, 2016 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Greenwell Funeral Home , Service Tuesday, August 30, 2016 11:00 AM Greenwell Funeral Home , Interment
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