Michael Paul Cox, age 24 years, of Bushton, Kan. passed away on Monday afternoon, June 25, 2018 at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. after a brief illness.
Michael was born on Oct. 18, 1993 at Grand Junction, Colo. to Richard Haubach and Tina Cox, and moved to Kansas in 1996. He graduated from Central Plains High School in Claflin, Kan. in 2012, and was formerly employed at Sunflower Diversified Services in Great Bend, Kan. and Casey’s General Store in Ellsworth, Kan. until declining health prevented him from working. He was united in marriage to Bridgette Oberle March 24, 2017 at Lyons, Kan. Michael loved all sports, and loved playing Magic Cards with neighbors and friends. Most of all, Michael really enjoyed spending time with family.
Survivors include his wife, Bridgette Oberle Cox of Ellsworth, Kan.; one son, William Cox, Bushton, Kan.; one step-daughter Saleena Justice, Salina, Kan.; his parents Tom and Tina (Cox) Smolik, Bushton, Kan.; one brother, Mason Cox, Bushton, Kan.; two sisters, Nichole Smolik (and her significant other Travis Horner), Oxford, N.C. and Heather (and her husband Anthony) Ramirez, Great Bend, Kan.; two sisters-in-law, Aubrey and Rory Oberle, Bushton, Kan.; his parents-in-law Roy and Melissa Oberle, Bushton, Kan.; his paternal grandmother, Doris Smolik, Great Bend, Kan.; several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Michael was preceded in death by one brother, Chris Smolik in 2011; his grandparents. William Cox, Jr. in 2011, Matthew Smolik in 2014, and Glenda Culver in 2017; a cousin, Catherine Shearer in 1991.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2018 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kan. with Andrew Hoelscher officiating. Cremation will follow.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kan. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Online condolences may be left and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS. 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 27, 2018