Donald E. Cox

He was born on June 2, 1933, in Springfield, IL, the son of Raymond T. and Edna Groves Cox. He married Ruth Ann Carlton on April 4, 1964, in Las Vegas, NV.

Don was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann; his children, Debbie (Dave) Reider, Kathy Cox, and Lori (Matt Iocca) Durbin of Springfield, Michele (Giovanni) Rodriguez of Mt. Dora, FL, and Michael (Jennifer) Nance of Billings, MT; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; siblings, Robert Cox of Chatham and Pat King of Ft. Meyers, FL; sister-in-law, Rosemary Hunter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Yvonne Cox; and son-in-law, Dean Durbin.

Don graduated from Springfield High School in 1951. He earned an associate degree from Illinois College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and Reserves for 5 1/2 years. Don had a 36-year career with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, from which he retired in 1996.

Don enjoyed listening to and sharing his love of Big Band music. To the delight of his many fans, for over 30 years, he spent Sunday mornings hosting the Don Howard Big Band Radio Show on WVEM and WMAY. He was also an avid golfer and played in the Lincoln Greens men’s golf league and the Grasshoppers, a Friday couples league. Don was a lifelong member of both the Elks and Eagles.

A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Prairie View Reception Center, 8865 State Route 4, Chatham, IL, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating and a Celebration of Life will follow until 5:00 p.m.

Graveside Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

Memorial contributions may be made to Spring Street Veterans Renaissance, 209 West Scarritt Street, Springfield, IL 62704 or the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield