Bixby, John Wilbur 1878-1952

BIXBY, BILLINGS, GIST, YEAGER, STOKES

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/25/2009 at 16:07:21

FUNERAL RITES HELD FOR JOHN BIXBY

John Wilbur Bixby, 74, died Monday, June 9, at the Sacred Heart hospital after suffering a heart attack earlier in the day.

Mr. Bixby was born at Raymond, Iowa, April 13, 1878, where he spent his boyhood days later moving to Plymouth County. He was married to Mary Alma Billings July 27, 1898, at LeMars.

After his marriage, they farmed in Iowa and South Dakota until 1940, when they moved to Park Rapids, Minn. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary July 27, 1948, at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Gordon Stokes in America township.

After the death of his wife in 1950, Mr. Bixby moved to Sioux City where he was employed as a night clerk at the West Hotel. He was a member of I.O.O.F. lodge and the Methodist church at Park Rapids, Minn.

He is survived by a son, John L. Bixby, Madison, S.D., and three daughters, Mrs. Earnest (Marian) Gist, Madison, S.D., Mrs. Judd (Lennice) Yeager, Topeka, Kansas, and Mrs. Gordon (Dollie) Stokes, LeMars.

A brother, Melvin, Browning, Mont., and two sisters, Mrs. H.L. Thurber, Rochester, Minn., and Mrs. H.H. Bell, Sioux City. Also 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday, June 12, at 2 o’clock at the Luken funeral home. Rev. Denley Ganfield conducted the services. Music was furnished by the Union township Presbyterian quartet. Burial was in the city cemetery.

The pallbearers were Charles Eyres, Paul Parry, Clarence Schroeder, Calvin Eyres, Joseph Sheehan, and Carlton Stokes.

Luken’s funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

~Source: The LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 13, 1952