From the Coldwater Chronicle, 3 Jan 1919, Page 1:
John Fox, one of Coldwater's best known citizens, died Thursday after a several months illness. Further particulars will be given in our next issue.
From the Coldwater Chronicle, 10 Jan 1919, Page 1:
John Fox, who had been in failing health for several months, passed peacefully away at his home on Main street at an early hour last Friday morning, well fortified with the last sacraments of the Catholic church, of which he was a faithful and consistent member.
Mr. Fox was born near Tiffin on March 31, 1852, and was aged 66 years, 9 months and 3 days. At an early age he moved to Trinity, Indiana, where he resided until 1843, when he located on a farm near Coldwater and later moved to town.
He was a hard working and industrious man and when he lived at Trinity he devoted several years to buying poultry, which he hauled to Celina in all kinds of weather, often reaching that town at a very early hour in the morning. In his dealings with his fellowmen it can be said he was strictly honest and his word was as good as his bond.
After coming to Coldwater, about 9 years ago, he still continued in active life until a few months ago. Always used to toil -- hard toil -- it was hard for him to be idle even though by his frugality he was able to take life more easily. So accustomed had he been to work that he could not lay it aside even when the opportunity came that he could well have afforded to do so. It was his nature and a most commendable one at that. He was widely known throughout this part of the state and greatly respected for his integrity.
Some 43 years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Sacher at St. Joe and to this union eleven children were born, six of whom preceded the father to that land of endless day.
A wife and five children survive to mourn the death of a kind a provident husband and father. The children who survive are Mrs. Tony Roth, of this place; Mrs. John Netterman, of Carthagena; Ed. H., Mathias and Miss Nora, of Coldwater. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister, namely, H.C. Fox and Mrs. Chas. Hess, of Coldwater; Jos. Fox, of Cincinnati and Ben Fox, of Dayton, besides several grandchildren.
Those who knew him best were his best friends and they held him in high esteem for his strict honesty. His motto appeared to be, once a friend always a friend. All join in deep sympathy for the sorrowing family in their irreparable loss.
Funeral services were held at Holy Trinity church last Monday morning and burial was in the Catholic cemetery east of town. May he rest in piece.
Mrs. Fox and children desire to thank all neighbors and friends for their kindness during the illness and death of their beloved husband and father, Rev. Louis H. Yauss for his visits and spiritial comfort, and the donors of autos for the funeral.