Obituary for Joyce Fox

Joyce Marlene (Crackel) Fox, of Katy, TX, formerly of Ponca City, was called to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 3, 2015. She was 80.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. James A. Dehne, Pastor Emeritus, St.John’s Lutheran, Newkirk, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends for visitation on Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Joyce Crackel Fox was born on June 6, 1935, to Verne and Mildred Crackel in Chicago Heights, IL. She was baptized at Crete Methodist Church and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran, prior to her recent move to TX. In TX, she was a member of Memorial Lutheran, Katy.

Joyce was born into a family of educators. She was educated in the Crete Public Schools where her father was Superintendent. After moving to Joliet, she graduated from Joliet Township High School. As a student and after graduation, she worked at the Ordnance Army Ammunition Plant in Elwood, IL. She met Glenn Fox at work and three months later, they were engaged. They were wed on June 6, 1954 and married 52 years before the untimely death of Glenn in 2006. They were constant companions. To this union, Ronald and Barbara were born.

When the children were in school, Joyce finished her teaching degree at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. She began her teaching career at St. Dennis School and then taught English at Ludwig Junior High for 23 years in Lockport, IL. She took early retirement along with Glenn’s early retirement, and moved to Ponca City to be near their family.

Joyce was a Ponca City Newcomer sponsor, president of HelpLink, volunteer for the American Cancer Society, church committee worker, the first woman president of the Tri-Township Credit Union in Lockport, IL, PTA president – Taft School, Lockport, IL, Sunday school teacher, and member of many other special and civic organizations. In her spare time, she read, enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, and playing cards, dominoes and bingo with her friends.

She leaves her dear children Ronald of Menomonie, WI and Barbara (Greg) Luegering of Katy, TX. She was grandmother to Lisa LaMonte of Austin, TX, Stephanie (William) Olson of Lakeville, MN, Ryan McCullough of AZ, and Rachel Luegering of Katy, TX and Amy Luegering of Katy, TX. She had two great-grandchildren, Michael Mallory and Madison Mallory, of Palatine, IL. She also leaves her sisters LaVerne (Jeter-deceased) Dollahite of Decatur, AL, Judy (Charles-deceased) Story of Johnson City, TN and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister JoAnn, and infant brother, and three nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran School 1104 N 4th Street Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home