STERLING - Doris Marie Cox, 88, of Sterling, died peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Rock River Hospice and Home Sterling.

Doris was born in Wyoming, IL, on November 5, 1931, the daughter of Emery and Lorene (O'Neill) Barton.

In 1950, Doris married Myron L. Cox and they had eight children. She began her teaching career in 1950 in a one-room school in Stark County retiring 50 years later as a professor at Sauk Valley Community College. She worked at many schools in the area, including St. Andrew's, St. Mary's, Rock Falls Elementary and Newman Central High School. As well as teaching, she farmed with her family in the Wyoming and Prophetstown areas. During her retirement, Doris was very active in volunteer groups including the Sterling P.A.D.S. and several church circles. It's best we mention for the record she was a firm believer in hard work and pulling your own weight. An avid bridge player, she was also known to catch a flight to any point in the world when given the opportunity.

Doris is survived by four daughters, Catherine Rogers, Mary (Philip Koenig), Colleen (Mike Kelm) Cox and Ann Friel; three sons, Myron Richard (Paula) Cox, Daniel Cox and Ralph (Sarah) Cox; two brothers, Francis (Joan) Barton and James Barton; sister-in-law, Carole Barton; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Doris is preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph Cox; one granddaughter, Allison Kelm and one brother, Larry Barton of Prophetstown.

Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 pm on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at McDonald Funeral Home, in Rock Falls. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am on Friday, January 24, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church, in Sterling.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with P.A.D.S.

Private family burial at Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown at a later date.

Saukvalley.com (Sterling, IL) - January 20, 2020