Stanley Fox

Detailed-oriented, persistent, and meticulous, Stanley Fox was a man who thought through all his actions. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that he had such a truly fulfilling life: a rewarding job in which he was his own boss; a strong faith; many hobbies and interests; and most importantly, a large family who loved him and whom he loved deeply. Although he will be greatly missed, his many friends and family members will be able to find solace in the reflection that it is difficult to imagine a better way for him to have spent his eighty-seven years on this earth.

Stanley was born on January 20, 1925, in Dallas Township (near Pewamo, Michigan). His proud parents were Joseph and Ida (Spitzley) Fox. Although there was only one sibling waiting for Stanley at home, the Fox family would grow steadily over the years – eight children in all. Joseph supported his family by working in the shop, while Ida managed the household and raised the children. Stanley loved to hunt as a child, both as a hobby and to help out at home. He and his brothers were held to high standards – typically given only four shotgun shells at a time, they were still expected to bring home game. In the summers, Stanley worked at neighboring farms in order to earn money for school clothes. These early experiences taught Stanley about hard work and responsibility, qualities that would characterize his entire life.

Stanley attended local schools, and graduated from Pewamo High School in 1943. He enjoyed playing sports during his high school years, and lettered in basketball. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marines and was stationed in San Diego, California. He was posted to various areas during his service, including Hawaii and other locations in the South Pacific. Stanley was a natural mechanic – he could fix anything – and he found his niche in the Marines repairing guns on the airplanes. Very patriotic, Stanley was proud to be able to serve his country.

After being discharged from the Marines, Stanley returned to Michigan. Continuing his career in mechanical work, he got a job at Holly Carburetors in Portland. When he wasn’t hard at work, Stanley enjoyed hunting, following sporting events, and dancing, especially the polka. At one dance in Westphalia, Stanley noticed someone he’d seen around the shop before – a young woman named Theresa Koenigsknecht. Stanley found an excuse to talk to her, and they soon hit it off. After dating for a year, the young couple invited friends and family to a beautiful summer wedding in Fowler, Michigan, on June 29, 1948.

Although Stanley worked for General Motors for the first few months after the wedding, he and Theresa soon decided to become dairy farmers. They moved to a nearby farm, where they would be tenant farmers. Not long after farming there they moved as tenants to another nearby farm where they spent the next thirty-one years. Stanley enjoyed farming, but it did have a few disadvantages – for example, Stanley always refused to eat outside, saying he ate enough bugs driving the tractor around all day! Over the years, Stanley and Theresa were blessed by the births of six children, four daughters and two sons: Ruth Ann, Janet, Donna, Margaret, Steven and John. All the kids worked hard on the farm, learning many of the life lessons that Stanley had learned as a boy working on neighbors’ farms years ago. Stanley was a wonderful father, and always supported his children.

Stanley farmed until his retirement in 1981. At this time, he and Theresa left the farm to move into town. It wasn’t long before Stanley found a hobby to fill some of his new-found free time: wood-working. Always good with his hands, he quickly became skilled in making furniture and small decorative pieces. Although his work was high quality, he never sold his pieces, instead choosing to give them to his children and grandchildren.

After Theresa’s retirement from Fisher Body, Stanley and Theresa began to travel extensively. They loved camping, both in tents and in their RV, and managed to travel to all fifty states, as well as Europe and Mexico. Between their travels, Stanley liked nothing better than spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, on whom he doted. He was always proud to be included in the lives of his children and extended family.

Stanley Fox was a kind and caring man, hard-working and dedicated to his family. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his friends and family.

Stanley Joseph Fox died on January 22, 2012, at the age of 87, after a four-month fight against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Theresa; his daughters, Ruth Ann (Gordon) Thelen, Janet Dorn, Donna (Alan) Yoder, and Margaret Fox (Dave Kenyon); his sons, Steven (Lindsay) Fox and John Fox (Robert Miller); his brothers, Carl (Carol) Fox, Sylester (Virginia) Fox, Richard (Cheryl) Fox, Ambrose (Cathy) Fox, and Mark Fox; his sister, Delores (Roy) Kramer; his 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ida Fox; his brother and sister-in-law, William and Jarene Fox; his sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Herman Schnieder; his son-in-law, Richard Dorn; and his brother-in-law, Donald Maidlow.

A funeral mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7–9 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. on Thursday, at the George Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler. Rosaries will be prayed at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 3 p.m. on Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to Sparrow St. Lawrence Hospice Center. Please visit Stanley’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/77471 to learn more about his life and to view his Life Story film. Military Services will be provided by VFW Post # 3733. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.