The Herald-News
MORRIS, Ill. — Ron Marx, known as a “gentle giant,” lived his life serving others as a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter.
On Sunday morning, Marx, of Morris, lost his battle with small cell cancer, which was diagnosed April 11 after blood work during a fire department physical came back with concerns.
“He was the biggest, most gentle teddy bear that anyone could ever know,” his sister Karen Marshall said Monday. “To know him, you had to love him.”
His oncologist told him if he didn’t do treatment, he would live another 30 to 60 days. If he started chemotherapy right away, he would live another six months to two years. Marx opted to start the battle to give him as much time as possible with those he loved.
Marx was an officer with the Morris Police Department for five years in the 1980s, and was an active firefighter with Naperville Fire Department, Homer Township Fire Protection District and most recently with Morris Fire Protection and Ambulance District.
In the most recent primary election, he and Ken Briley of Minooka ran for the Republican ticket for Grundy County Sheriff. Marx lost to Briley. He also ran against the late Sheriff Terry Marketti in 2010.
Marx told his sister the worst part of dying is the hurt you see on others’ faces and in their eyes. He said the hurt he had was for others’ pain, Marshall said.
On Monday, his wife Tina reminisced about the day she met the man she described as the most generous and kind-hearted person she has ever known.
She will never forget the day they met on the I&M Canal, where they walked and talked for four hours on a cold November day nine years ago.
“He gave me a rose that night, and a box of candy, we’ve been together every day since then,” Tina Marx said.
The couple was due to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary Dec. 16.
Marx’s brother Bob said his brother was happy with the life he led.
“He was a very caring person who always wanted to help others,” he said.
In June a fundraiser was held for Marx to help with bills and his sister said he couldn’t believe the number of people who wanted to help. She said it brought him to tears each time she called and told him of another donation.
“He said the day of the fundraiser was the most perfect day of his entire life,” Marshall said. “He never felt so much love from people.”
A gofundme.com account also was made that allowed him in September to take his wife and grandchildren to Disney World, something he always wanted to do.
“When they raised the money for his trip, Ron asked me ‘Why do these people do this for me?’” Marshall said. “He was so humbled he couldn’t speak.”
Morris Fire Chief Tracey Steffes said as a person, Marx was someone who gave more than he took. As a paramedic and a firefighter, he was a wealth of knowledge.
“Ron was one of the first paramedics in the state. He was in the second class the state offered and was a paramedic for over 25 years,” Steffes said. “Ron had a wealth of knowledge in treating people. Ron was able to guide new paramedics, we lost that now, and the community lost that.”
Service arrangements
A visitation service and celebration of life for Morris Fire Protection & Ambulance District Lt. Ronald Marx will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morris Fire Station 2, 2301 Ashton Road in Morris. At 1 p.m. a fire department walk through will be held and a memorial service at 1:30 p.m.
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