Dr. Burr Andrew Leslie Bixler

BIXLER, STRAIT, BROWN, TINDALL, KEEPER, TIFFIN

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 10/3/2012 at 13:25:56

Dr. Burr Andrew Leslie Bixler
Funeral services for Dr. Burr A. L. Bixler, 65, who died suddenly February 27, at Suwannee County Hospital, Live Oak, Florida, were held Wednesday, March 1, at the Advent Christian Church with Rev. Roy Crews and the Rev. Finn Murra officiating.
He was born to Robert Allen and Helen E. Bixler in Adams county, Iowa, May 2, 1884. Following in his father's footsteps, he began at an early age his preparations for the ministry. He received his training in the public schools of Corning, Iowa, at the Iowa State College, Ames, and in later years attended Aurora College, Aurora, Illinois.
At the age of 21, he accepted the pastorate of the Advent Christian Church in Lake City, Florida. Dr. Bixler was married to Miss Janie Vincent Brown in Lake City on May 30, 1908 and moved to Dowling Park shortly thereafter where he took over the editor and manager of Present Truth Messenger. This religious paper was later moved to Live Oak and Dr. Bixler became pastor of the Advent Christian Church where for 40 years he served as pastor, except for a short interruption, when he again served as pastor of the Lake City Church.
He was editor and publisher of the Suwannee Citizen which he later sold in the Suwannee Democrat. He founded and published for a time the Columbia Oazectle in Lake City and at the time of his demise was publisher and owner of the Suwannee Echo, local weekly paper.
Dr. Bixler was a member of the Rosary for 28 years and in February 1949 was awarded honorary life membership. He represented his local club at the international conventions at Detroit and Denver.
During World War II he was chairman of the local board for selective service and served on the OPA board. He served as a member of the school board here in former years.
In June 1943 the honorary degree of Dextor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Aurora College.
Active pall bearers were all deacons of the church he served so long. The Live Oak Rotary Club served as honorary pallbearers.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Jane Brown Bixler, two daughters, Mrs. Jane Vincent and Mrs. Helen Brown Bixler, two sons, Burr A. L. Bixler, Jr., and Dr. T. J. Bixler, two grandsons, Tommy Jenkins and Paul Edward Bixler, six sisters, Helen E. Eggleston, Olive B. Tindall, Ruth B. Keepers, Florence B. Tiffin, Pearl B. Smith, and Dorothy B. Bixler; two brothers, Sidney A. and Robert Arthur Bixler.
Interment was in the City Cemetery.
Adams County Free Press, March 16, 1950, page 3