Bixler, Vernice N.
Orrville — Vernice N. Bixler, age 86, of Orrville, died Friday, December 31, 2021, at his home in Orrville, following a long period of declining health.
Vernice was born on January 28, 1935, in Apple Creek, Ohio, to Reuben and Elma (Nussbaum) Bixler. He graduated from Apple Creek High School in 1953, attended Goshen College, and served two years with PAX in Germany. He married Ruth M. Sommers on November 1, 1958, in Orrville and she survives him.
He worked as a dairy farmer most of his life and retired from the family farm in 1998.
Vernice was a member of Martin’s Mennonite Church and Gideons International. He enjoyed photography, bird watching, woodworking and travel. He was very social and enjoyed volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Wooster and MCC Connections in Kidron. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed visitors.
In addition to his wife, Ruth, he is survived by four daughters, Cindy (Jim) Fath of Columbus, Sandy (Curt) Plank of Orrville, Marla (Randy) Hines of North Lawrence, and Jolene (Ed) Ricer of Orrville; eleven grandchildren, Anna (Deryck) Mullady, Susannah (Zach) Cotman, Lydia (Jason) Yoder, Nathanael Fath, Emily (Gary) Baddorf, Justin Plank, Jason, Chad and Kyle Zimmerman, Britney (Jeff) Shimko, and Brian Ricer; seven great grandchildren, Maggie, Noah, Eve and Louisa Mullady, Annelise and Joseph Yoder, and Canaan Baddorf; three brothers, Clair (Dorcas) Bixler of Orrville, Kenneth (Shirley) Bixler of Holmesville, and David (Penny) Bixler of Lakewood; and a sister-in-law, Lavonne Bixler of Goshen, IN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Lee Zimmerman; and brother, Paul Bixler.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Martins Mennonite Church. Cremation will take place and burial of ashes will be at the Martins Mennonite Church Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation for the love and care provided by LifeCare Hospice to Vernice in his final months.
Memorials may be made to MCC Connections, P.O. Box 19, Kidron, OH 44636, www.mccconnections.com, Gideons International P.O. Box 16, Orrville, OH 44667, or Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691, www.lifecarehospice.org.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is assisting the family. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
