Alva Lonzo Cox Jr.

Mr. Cox graduated from E. St. Louis Senior High School in 1945. He then started his career at McConkey Grocery Store. Alva retired at the age of 70 from Wurth Dairy. Mr. Cox was a member of the Odd Fellows, Lions Club, and the Meat Cutters Union. Alva loved traveling and had the opportunity to visit every state in the United States. He also enjoyed and was very active with family genealogy. Alva was a loving brother and uncle.

Mr. Cox was preceded in death by his parents, Alva Lonzo Cox, Sr., and Jeanette Cox, nee Brown; a sister, Mary Louise (Francis) Halvachs.

Surviving his brother, Alan J. (Karlyn) Cox; nieces and nephews, Lynn (Russ) Hursey, William (Donna) Halvachs, Carla (Jim) Eilers, and Dr. Michael (Mona) Cox; Alva is also survived by many great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Memorial Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2001 South Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO., 63131-3597.

Visitation: Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral Service: Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, with Rev. Charles West officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Ill.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.