Maurice F. Cox, 89, Fairbury died at 12:10 am Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City, IL.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury with the Rev. Spencer Homan officiating. Inurnment will be in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. Visitation will be 3:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with an IOOF service at 8:00 pm. Visitation will also be 10:00 to 10:45 am Friday at the church.

Mr. Cox was born September 7, 1918 in Fairbury, the son of William Ray and Mabel Neal Cox. He married Dorothy Louise Loghry on September 7, 1945. She died August 19, 2000.

Surviving are two sons, J.T. (Doris) Cox, Fairbury, Warren (Kay) Cox, Normal, one daughter, Judith (David) Gray, Fairbury, seven grandchildren, Justin (Kim) Cox, Jarrett (Mindy) Cox, Tyler Cox, Josh Cox, Emily Gray, Erin Gray and Erica Gray and four great grandchildren, Jaci, Gunner, Haley & Jordan.

He is preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Mr. Cox was a 1936 graduate of Cropsey High School and had attended one year at Illinois State Normal University. He served in the US Army (1941-1942). During most of Mr. Cox's adult life he served in law enforcement beginning his career with the Illinois State Highway Police in 1946. He later worked as a Pontiac Correctional Officer, Livingston County Deputy Sheriff; he served as the chief of police in Pontiac, was employed at the Blessman-Berry Finance Company, had been the Livingston County Circuit Clerk and also was a Country Companies Insurance salesman. He ended his career with the City of Fairbury serving on the police department as an officer and later chief of police. After his term as police chief he served as the mayor of Fairbury.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury, served as district commander of the American Legion 17th district and past commander of the Fairbury American Legion John Joda Post #54. He was a member of the Illinois Grand Chef de Gare for voiture 40 et 8. He was an Illinois High school Association official, officiating high school basketball, baseball and softball. He was involved with the Fairbury-Cropsey and later Prairie Central athletic boosters and most recently he was inducted into the Illinois basketball coach's association hall of fame. He was a devoted sports fan and loved White Sox Baseball. He was a loving and caring father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and many many friends.

The family suggests memorials be given to the Special Olympics or to the charity of the donor's choice.