John S. Cox, age 85, of Flora, Illinois, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2014, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. 

    John was born September 26, 1928, in Flora to Walter and Katie (Howell) Cox. He was the youngest of 6 children and attended Webster Grade School in Harter Township.  He married Imogene “Jean” Thompson on November 1, 1953, in Flora.  John farmed since childhood and was the owner of Cox Farms and Cox Resources until 1994.  He also worked 27 years for the Post Office until 1988.  John served in the U.S. Army.  Wood-working along with hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes of John’s and he enjoyed having company go along with him whenever possible.  John considered family to be the most important thing in his life.

    He is survived by his wife: Jean Cox of Flora; daughter: Teresa (Duane) Stanley of Flora; son: Rick Cox of Flora; 2 grandsons: Rodney (Jamie) Keck of Flora, Ryan (Amy) Keck of Olney; 2 great-grandsons: Jarod and Dallas Keck and another great-grandchild on the way; 3 sisters-in-law: Leone Cox of Flora, Marjorie Thompson of Clay City, Bertha Thompson of Flora; along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings: Mary Dennis and her husband Oren, Martha Jennings and her husband Berl, Charles Cox, Ruby Cox, and Ruth Hastings and her husband Bob.

    The funeral service for John Cox will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will be in Rusk Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home.  Memorial donations in John’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.  An online guest book is available at www.frankandbright.com.