Hope R. Bixel

Hope R. Bixel, 94, a lifetime Marshall County resident, died of natural causes at her home, 13265 W. 6C Road, Plymouth at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2001.  Hope was attended by her family and the Marshall County Hospice.

Born in Bourbon on September 22, 1906, Hope was the daughter of Isaiah Henry and Katie Della Highshew Grossman.  She graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1924.

On October 21, 1934, in Plymouth, Hope and Omer C. Bixel were married.  Omer died on December 31, 1988.

Hope was a caring wife, mother and homemaker.  Prior to her marriage, she worked for eleven years, as a bookkeeper for NIPSCO.

At an earlier time, Hope, clever with her hands,  could sew, embroider, crochet and do tatting and cut-work.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed bird watching especially Indiana’s State bird the Cardinal and raising African violets.

A member of the First United Methodist Church for over 75 years, Hope had been active in the Ladies Guild and the Mother’s Club.  She was also a member of the Delta Theta Tau Sorority, and Eastern Star, Chapter 26

Hope is survived by two daughters and a son.  Her daughters are Barbara J. and Don Hunt, Sarasota, Florida, and Beverly A. Bixel, South Bend.  A son, C. Jon and Debra Bixel, live in Plymouth.

Three grandchildren, Scott A. and Cami Hunt and their son Stephen,  Melissa M. Bixel and Melanie K. Bixel also survive together with a step-granddaughter, Amy and Ted Rotering and their two children, Christina and Aron Rotering.

A sister, Lois Thomas, of Bradenton, Florida, also survives.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and Arthur Eugene Bixel, a son and four brothers;  Harold, Lawrence, Clarence, and Graham Grossman.  Five sisters have also died.  They are: Nora and Dorothy Grossman, Mary Warnicut and two infant sisters.

Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

The funeral service for Hope will take place in the funeral home at 7 p.m., following visitation.  The Rev. Larry Houseman, pastor of the First United Methodist Church and Tom Padberg, chaplain of the Marshall County Hospice, will conduct the service.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Hope’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.