Daren L. Cox Obituary (1934 - 2016)

Daren L. Cox, 81, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Evenglow Lodge Tjardes health Center in Pontiac after suffering several years from Parkinson's Disease. His service will be held Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service at First United Methodist Church in Pontiac with Reverend Tom Goodell and Reverend Gretchen Stinebaugh officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, IL. Daren was born December 2, 1934 in Fairbury, son of J. Hartzel and Margaret (Elliott) Cox. Daren was raised on a farm in the Fairbury and Cropsey area and a graduate of the Fairbury-Cropsey High School, Class of 1952. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL and received an Advanced Certificate for Upper Grades from Northern Illinois University. He served in the U.S. Army and Illinois National Guard for a number of years with an honorable discharge in March 1963 as a Sergeant. He married Marcia Spaniol on July 22, 1962 at the Cornell Methodist Church, Cornell. She survives. Also surviving are three children, Beth (Josef Wehlauch) Cox of Normal, Neal (Sandi) Cox of DeKalb and Mark (Mandy) Cox of Melbourne, Fla. Five grandchildren, Amanda, Erica, Sarah, Pam and Morgan Cox, five step-grandchildren, Zac (Krissi) Ingram, Emily and Michael Ingram, Justin Wehlauch and Samatha Wehlauch, and one step great grandson, Aemon Ingram. One sister, Phyliss J. Doran of Normal, one brother, William (Denice) Cox of Streator and several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents. Daren enjoyed a lifelong career in teaching and education. He taught science, biology and agriculture at Cornell High School from 1957 to 1962 and then moved to Pontiac Township High School where he taught agriculture and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program from 1962 to 1969. He served as high school principal in LaHarpe from 1969 to 1971 and in Momence from 1971 to 1973. Mr. Cox was the director of Livingston Area Vocational Center (now known as the Livingston Area Career Center) in Pontiac from 1973 to 1991 and director of transportation the last few years before retirement in 1991. After retirement, he drove a school bus for Pontiac Township High School. A member of the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac, he was very active in church activities and served on several committees. Other membership include the former Pontiac Lions Club where he was a member for many years and held several offices including president. He was a member at Cornell, LaHarpe and the Pontiac Lions Club for a total of 57 years. He was a member of the University of Illinois Alumni and Livingston County Retired Teachers Association and former member of the Livingston County Extension & 4-H Programs. He was an avid auction attendee who loved bidding on antiques. He was a collector of many items and also repaired antiques. His great passions in life were his family, attending auctions and teaching agriculture to the students. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 219 N. Chicago Street, Pontiac, IL 61764; the Pontiac FFA, c/o Pontiac Township High School, 1100 E. Indiana Avenue, Pontiac, IL 61764; The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777; or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.