Joe Edward Cox

Joe Edward Cox, 81, Sullivan, Indiana, passed away on June 3, 2020, in a farming accident near the family farm in Sullivan.  He was born on November 7, 1938, in Sullivan, Indiana, to Wendell and Marcille (Bledsoe) Cox Ellingsworth.  Joe married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Margie) Evelyn Faught, on September 6, 1959.

As a devoted family man, Joe especially enjoyed spending time with his family.  Joe was a graduate of Sullivan High School and Purdue University.  At Purdue, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education in 1960 and a Master’s Degree in Education in 1961.

In addition to teaching, Joe farmed with his father, uncle, and brother at the family farm, which he treasured, from childhood until he died.

During his 34-year teaching career, Joe taught US History at Sullivan High School and Sullivan Junior High School.  Upon his retirement in 1995, Joe relished traveling and spending time with family. Joe was a longtime member of Sullivan First Baptist Church, where he taught an adult Sunday School class, The Friendship Class, for about 50 years, served as a trustee, as a part of the mission board ministry and sang in Men’s Chorus and the church choir.

Joe was a proud member of The John Purdue Club at Purdue and loved spending his Fall Saturdays cheering on the Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium, or wherever the Boilers took the field and basketball games in Mackey Arena.  As a lifelong baseball fan, Joe loved following the St. Louis Cardinals, including Spring Training games every March at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, where he was delighted to watch the Cards as an inaugural season ticket holder.

Joe was a member of Indiana Retired Teachers Association, where he served as a long-term member of the legislative committee and the local Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association, where he served as President.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, Margie, Joe is survived by his children, Bret (Susie) Cox, of Sullivan, Indiana, Cindy (Mike) Lowdermilk of Jupiter, Florida, and Joie (Bill) Ringer of Brownsburg, Indiana.  He adored his grandchildren, Matt (Ashlee) Lowdermilk of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Cecilia and Elizabeth Ringer, both of Brownsburg, Indiana; and great grandchildren, Madelynn and Brooke Lowdermilk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; a brother, John Paul (Nancy) Cox, of Sullivan, Indiana; an aunt, Martha Marlowe of Dugger, Indiana; and numerous nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM, Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Sullivan First Baptist Church in Sullivan, Indiana with Rev. Ron Riggs officiating. Interment will follow in Center Ridge Cemetery in Sullivan, Indiana. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Sullivan First Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to Indian Creek Baptist Camp at 1770 Avoca Eureka Road, Bedford, IN 47421 or Sullivan First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 283, Sullivan, IN 47882

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