Earl D. Bixel, 75, passed away surrounded by family on March 11, 2022. A Bluffton native, Earl was born on February 4, 1947. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Truman M. and Levada M. (Balmer) Bixel.  

Earl graduated from Cory Rawson High School and Bluffton College. He received his master’s degree from the University of Dayton. He taught English literature and writing at West Junior High School in Lima, Ohio for thirty years and was a sports journalist for the Findlay Courier and The Lima News. While teaching, he met his wife, Kathy. Earl was also proud to run his family’s farm. 

Earl had great respect for the land and growing the crop each year was something he was honored to do. He could name each type of tree in his woods and each type of bird that flew overhead. Earl was most proud of his family. Earl adored spending time with and sharing his kindness, wit, wisdom, and love for sport with his three grandchildren

He is survived by his wife; Kathryn “Kathy” A. (Burns) Bixel and their children; Amy S. (Shane) Moran and Ann M. (Kyle) Wald, grand-children; Ethan, Owen and Alexander Moran, sister; Jana E. (Gary) Bosse, and in-laws; Mary E. (Dick) Downing and Sister Rose Marie Burns.

Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home in Bluffton, OH. The service will be held Wednesday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Ron Geiser officiating. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery following the service.

The Bixel family would like to thank the staff of the James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University and the staff at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton for the care and compassion devoted to Earl. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the James Cancer Hospital https://cancer.osu.edu and Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton.