John Orval Cox (64) of Olney

John Orval Cox, age 64, passed away at 9:03 PM – Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating John’s life will be held at 11:00 AM – Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Meyer Funeral Home in Olney, Illinois, Todd Bettis officiating.  A visitation for family and friends will be held 4:00 to 7:00 PM – Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the funeral home. In loving memory of John, memorials may be made to an education fund for John’s grandchildren, Oliver and Asher Miller.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here. 

John was born October 23, 1960, in Olney, Illinois, the son of Raymond Francis and Lois Madelyn (Clark) Cox. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1978. At the age of 19, John became an Emergency Medical Technician, and later a Paramedic. He had spent the last 45 years dedicating his life to helping others in need. John was currently a Paramedic for the Lawrence County Ambulance Service. John had attended The Way Christian Church in Olney. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed time spent with family.

John is survived by:

Daughter – Sharilyn (Dustin) Miller of Calhoun, Illinois

Grandchildren – Oliver and Asher Miller

Mother – Lois Mulvany of Lawrenceville, Illinois

Siblings – Dianne Ballinger of Unionville, Tennessee; Carol Cox-McClave of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Robert Cox of Greenup, Illinois; Nancy Jamerson of Newton, Illinois; and David Cox (Bev Drake) of Newton, Illinois  

Step Siblings – Ken (Ruth) Mulvany of Henderson, North Carolina; Ralph (Brenda) Mulvany of Waxahachie, Texas; Dave (Joan) Mulvany of Grand Junction, Colorado; and Yvonne (Bruce) Shelton of Lawrenceville, Illinois

Faithful Companion – Luna his Dog

John was preceded in death by his father.