Dorothy Cox 1934-2025
Dorothy Marie Cox, 90, of Holton, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence.
She was born in 1934 in rural Shawnee County, the daughter of John Harvey and MaryAnna Johanna (Hoefler) Basel.
Dorothy attended Wetmore and Corning high schools. She later earned her GED and attended a semester at Highland Community College. She worked for Slimaker Dress Factory and the Jackson County Appraiser’s Office in 1970 until retiring in 1986.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as secretary from 1963 to 1971, deacon and choir member. She was also a life member of Holton VFW Post 1367 Auxiliary.
Dorothy married Richard Lee Cox on July 14, 1951, in Holton. He preceded her in death on Nov. 17, 2011, after 60 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mae Elizabeth Basel and Rovida Colton; and six brothers, John Jr., Anthony, Daniel, Arthur, Charles and Roy Basel.
Survivors include her four children, Bruce Cox (Paula) of Topeka, William Cox (Kathy) of Lawrence, David Cox (Teuka) of Topeka and Deborah D’Orvilliers (Sheldon Pokorney) of Lawrence; two sisters, Lousie A. Bickford of Holton and Evelyn Vincent (Bob) of Lyndon; three brothers, George Basel of Abilene, Harlan Basel of Gainesville, Fla., and Walt Basel (Nancy) of Lincoln, Neb.; three sisters-in-law, Evah Basel of DeSoto, Dorothy Basel of Holton and Marceil Basel of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Dorothy will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Memorials may be given to Holton VFW Post 1367 Auxiliary or American Cancer Society, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
