Donald Cox,

DONALD H. COX Sr., 97, died at 6:05 a.m. March 9, 2006, at his residence. He was born March 4, 1909, in Freeport, Illinois, to William A. and Matilda Rippberger Cox, who preceded him in death. On April 1, 1932, in Freeport, Illinois, he married Zelma L. Grinnell, who survives in Lima, Ohio. Mr. Cox retired in 1974 as chief engineer of the funeral coach division at Superior Coach/Sheller Globe, where he had worked since 1946. He then worked at AccuBuilt, where he retired at the age of 90. He had also been chief engineer for Henny Motor Co., Freeport, Illinois, which made Packard Funeral Coaches, and worked at the Auburn Clutch Co., Auburn, Ind., during World War II. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church. He was a life member of the Lima Host Lions Club, where he had served as president and was on various committees. He was vice president of the Northwest Ohio Lions Eyecare Foundation and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was also a life member of the Lima Men's Garden Club, where he had served as president. He was a member of the Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He had served as president of the Northwest Beekeepers Association and was awarded the Beekeeper of the Year for the State of Ohio in 1989. He loved gardening and was a Bonsai gardener. He had been the longest-serving employee of the funeral car industry. He was instrumental in the beautification of downtown Lima. He was active with the Allen County Fair and was named an Outstanding Member of the Fair. Survivors also include a daughter, Jacqueline (Ron) Rower of Lima, Ohio; two sons, Ronald D. (Jill) Cox and Donald H. Cox Jr., both of Lima, Ohio; a sister, Patricia Theiler of Browntown, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, Jan (Mark) Schluneker, Mark (Beverly) Rower, Gary Rower, Susan (Scott) Slusser and Craig (Linda) Rower, all of Lima, Ohio, Mary (Troy) Malsam of Columbus Grove, Ohio, Greg (Anginette) Cox of Columbus, Ohio and Holly (Joel) Cox-Kahl of Davie, Florida; and 17 great-grandchildren, Doug, David, Matthew S., Jennifer, Matthew R., Tracy, Kathy, Melissa, Ryan S. Cory, Allissa, Taylor, Hallie, Kristen, Ryan C. and Megan; and a great-great-grandson, Seth. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Jack and Russell Cox. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Wanda Werking will officiate. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where a Lions service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Lima Host Lions Club, the Lima Men's Garden Club or Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.