Michael L. Fox

Michael "Mike" L. Fox, age 37, of Vergennes, passed away at 1:09 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2007, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro. Memorials may be made to the Vergennes Fire Department, so that a scholarship fund can be established in Michael's memory. Mr. Fox was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Carbondale. Michael was a graduate of the Elverado High School in 1989 and had worked at Kroger's as a bagger. He like hunting and fishing and he loved babies. For twenty years, Michael was a volunteer firefighter and first responder on the Vergennes Fire Department. He was a member of the Southern Illinois Coal-Belt Firefighters Association. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 127 and the V.F.W. Post # 7190, both in Murphysboro. Mike was born on June 13, 1969, in Murphysboro, and his mother Margaret (Fox) Kelly preceded him in death. He was raised by his foster mother and father Betty and Herschel King of Vergennes and they became his parents; Other survivors include his two sisters Sondra Tuthill and her husband Richard Tuthill of Vergennes, and Cheryal Jones and her husband Steve Jones of Murphysboro; one brother Buddy King and his wife Ann King of Murphysboro; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles include his uncle Billy Cowin and his wife Kimberly Cowin of Carbondale; He was preceded in death by his mother, one sister, one niece, and his grandmother. Mike is going to be missed! FOR MIKE For all emergencies he's right there to bring hope and save the day The first responder to the weak when an ambulance is on its way A fireman to shield our home when we thought all was lost. His arms open to welcome the children and to be their Santa Claus. Service is what we know of him and how he's touched our lives. When someone needed him, there was Michael, no surprise. Amazed at his love for children, they're so perfect in their playing, With a small one in his arms, "There goes Michael with his babies." Before we came to Earth, we made the choice to be right here. We have no choice when we leave, but that's not something we should fear. Sometimes we pass before we're born, or after a hundred and five. Either way it seems not long enough or fair that we survive. There is more to life than just this world; there is hope beyond the veil; Where Eternity is our bliss and our bodies are not so frail. Our spirits live on to learn and grow, almost in the same way, Then we'll reunite with our bodies just before our judgment day. Service is what they'll know of him on the other side; And when someone needs him, there'll be Michael, no surprise. Millions of children for him to hold, a phrase to come just maybe, When a child laughs out loud, they'll say, "There goes Michael with his babies!" Written by Jamie Foster

Michael L. Fox

June 13, 1969 - February 2, 2007