Orval Wilcox Obituary (1920 - 2014)

Orval "Ralph" Wilcox, 93, of Decatur passed away on Tuesday (April 22, 2014) in his residence. A service to celebrate Ralph's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday (April 25, 2014) at Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Banning officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery, Blue Mound. Memorial contributions may be directed to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church or Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Mr. Wilcox was born on October 26, 1920 in Stonington, IL the son of Orval and Rena (Morrison) Wilcox. He married Helen Ficker on January 10, 1947. He was a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. Ralph proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII. During his time in the military he attended Syracuse University. He was an engineer for Wabash and Norfolk & Western Railways. He also was a contractor who built houses and later in life built post offices. Ralph spent many years farming and also was his son's baseball coach. Surviving is his daughter: Deborah Shepherd and her husband Dwaine of Orland Hills, IL; grandchildren: Douglas Shepherd and his wife Debbie of Channahon, IL, Nicole Shepherd of Orland Hills, IL, Gregory Wilcox and his wife Jessica of Kincaid, IL; great grandchildren: James Shepherd, Gabriella Shepherd, Jackson Shepherd, Lola Hart and Charlie Cannonito; brother: John (Jack) Wilcox and his wife Mitzi of Crossville, TN; The care givers: Judy Simpson of Moweaqua, Mary Stolte of Blue Mound and Dorothy Flagg of Decatur have taken outstanding care of the Wilcox Family for many years. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers: Warren and Wayne, sister: Helen Wilcox Smith, and son: Douglas Wilcox.