Dolores I. Fox

Dolores I Fox, 87, died May 23, 2018 at the home of her daughter in Elmhurst, IL.  Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at her home, 1336 31st St, Rock Island IL on August 4th 2018 at 1:00 pm.

Dolores was born March 30, 1931 in Shannon City, IA to John Carl “Carl” Shrader and Cleo Leone Brock.  She was the second of nine children; she had 6 brothers and 2 sisters.  The family moved from IA to Rock Island, IL in 1942, and later moved to Milan IL.  In 1943 Dolores’ father died, and Dolores helped take care of her brothers and sisters while her oldest brother and mother worked to support the family. 

Dolores married William M Fox in 1950; she helped him operate their two family businesses: Fox Construction from 1960-1990 and Cleo’s Restaurant in Milan from 1967 to 1977.  She worked at Rock Island County Health Care Center as Social Services/Activity Director for 18 years.

Dolores was an activist in the movement for community education and services for those with mental and physical handicaps.  She served several terms as President of the Rock Island Co Assoc for Retarded Children, now known as The ARC of the Quad Cities Area.  She was instrumental in passage of legislation in IL that guaranteed special education for children with disabilities.  She was a life-long activist, advocate and volunteer for people with disabilities, and in 2001 received the ARC’s prestigious volunteer award, the Evelyn Colberg Memorial Award.  Her service was also recognized by The ARC of IL in 2003 with a Lifetime Achievement Award and The ARC of the Quad Cities area in 2014 with a Lifetime Achievement Award for 60 years of service.

In addition to her advocacy on behalf of those with disabilities, she was active in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls and DeMolay.   She was a member of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband William M Fox; daughter Judi Lee Fox; her sister Dorothy Loretta Clason; and her brothers David L Shradar, Donald Dean “Dean” Shrader, John William “Bill” Shradar, Carl Eugene “Gene” Shrader, and Charles Richard “Chuck” Shradar.

Dolores is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jeri Lynn Fox and Michael Kuhlman of Elmhurst IL, son William C Fox of Elmhurst IL; her 4 grandchildren William S Fox & wife Kylee of Rock Island, Christine M Kuhlman of Elmhurst, Nicole L Brocato & husband Anthony of Cedar Rapids IA, and Emily D Fox of Elmhurst; her great-grandchildren, William “Jude” Fox and Lucy Fox of Rock Island; her sister, Barbara Osterhagen & husband Larry of Milan, and brother James Emmett “Emmett” Shradar & wife Carla of Naperville IL; and sister-in-law Martha Polsfuss & husband Richard of Brainerd MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 Memorials can be made to The ARC of the Quad Cities Area, 4016 9th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201.

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