Norman Cox

OAKLAND - Norman E. Cox, 77, of Oakland, died at 9:25 p.m., Wednesday (Jan. 25, 2006) at his home. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Oakland Christian Church, with Tony Crouch officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will begin after noon today with the family present from 6-8 p.m. today at the Taber Funeral Home in Oakland. He was born on March 27, 1928, in DeSoto, Wis., the son of Forrest and Ruby Inman Cox. He married Juanita Jean Wollard in 1947; she survives. Other survivors include three sons, Mike Cox of Fisher, Patrick Cox of Tolono and Carl Cox of Mattoon; five daughters, Amber Wilson of Buckley, Cindy Cox of Oakland, Tena Cole of Oakland, Becky Cox of Gibson City, and Lisa Matthews of Tuscola; two brothers, Gary Cox of Mahomet and Don Cox of Piggot, Ark.; two sisters, Frannie Rutter of DeSoto, Wis., and Beulah Tower of Ferryville, Wis.; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, one brother, one sister, one grandson and one great-grandson. Mr. Cox was employed as a union roofer for several years, before becoming the Business Agent for Roofers Local 97 in Champaign, for 32 years. He was a member of the Roofers Local 97 in Champaign for over 51 years, a trustee for the Indiana State Council of Roofers Health and Welfare Fund for over 25 years, and the President of the Illinois District Council of Roofers and Waterproofers. He was a member of the Oakland Christian Church and a Navy veteran of World War II. A memorial fund is being established for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.