Dwight D. Bixel, 84, of Bluffton died at 10:26 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. He was born Jan. 22, 1933, in Putnam County to the late Stanley and Edith (Burkholder) Bixel. In 1955, he married Clarabeth (Diller) Bixel and she survives.
Dwight was a farmer, a former director of the Ohio Soybean Board and served as director for the G.W. Sugar Refinery. He had also been a member of the Lima Farmer’s Club.
He was a member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church in Bluffton where he had served as a deacon, trustee and served on several building committees. He enjoyed his mission (work) trips to numerous countries and within the United States. Dwight was a past board member of the Mennonite Memorial Home. For the past 20 years, he enjoyed serving meals at Our Daily Bread and was an active member of Gideon’s International.
Survivors also include two daughters, Jane (Steve) Shaw and Amy Bixel; a son Seth (Carol) Bixel; grandchildren John (Jaime) Shaw, Anna Vast, Alyssa (Jacob) Rowland, Alaina (Logan) Skelly; two great-grandchildren, Taryn and Tyler Shaw; two sisters Gladyce Loewen, Geneva (Dave) Sturman; a sister-in-law Ruth Bixel and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Dwight was preceded in death by a sister Ellene Spallinger; two brothers Julius Bixel, Neil Bixel; two brother-in-laws Rollie Loewen, Paul Spallinger; and a sister-in-law Barbara Bixel.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in the sanctuary at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Pastor Jim King officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Crossroads Ministry Center at Ebenezer Mennonite Church. A private burial will take place on Friday at Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ebenezer Mennonite Church for the youth mission trip or to Gideon’s International.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Mennonite Memorial Home, the nurses from Bridge Hospice and Dr. Rene Shelly.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
