Robert Bocox

Robert E. Bocox, 85, of New Windsor, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at Aledo Rehab and Healthcare Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Burial will be at Aledo Cemetery, with military rites conducted by Mercer County VFW Post 1571. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to New Windsor Fire Department. He was born Dec. 11, 1923, in Galesburg, the son of Henry W. and Helen L. Henry Bocox. He married Gloria Dennison on Dec. 3, 1960, in Rock Island. He was a 1942 graduate of Knoxville High School. Bob had worked at the Rock Island Arsenal then JI Case, retiring in 1986. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1948 on the USS Wichita in the Japanese Theatre. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. His many enjoyments included hunting, fishing, gardening, fixing things, watching western movies and most of all, visiting. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Bocox, New Windsor; children (and spouses), Robert E. Bocox Jr., Cheyenne, Wyo., Geraldine (Dan) Cluff, West Jordan, Utah, Donald (Lisa) Bocox, Aledo, Dan Tappendorf, Encinitas, Calif., Gary (Linda) Tappendorf, Tipton, Iowa, and Georgia (Steve) Bloomfield, Milan; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Nadine Liby, Aledo. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Bocox; and an infant brother.