George "Smiley" Bixby

George F. Bixby, age 77, of Neillsville passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, TX which was their winter home.George Francis Smiley Bixby was born on June 14, 1933 in Nichols, Iowa the son of Francis and Martha (Colwell) Bixby, the youngest of eight children.He served as a Sergeant in the US Army from 1953-1955 during the Korean Conflict.He married Darlene Lucille White on August 20, 1954 in Missouri.George was employed at Elcho Distributing, Iowa Lumber and was a hobby farmer in Iowa before moving to Wisconsin in 1969 to become a dairy farmer.They sold the farm in 1977 and worked for the York Center Farms before buying the business which became Bixbys Grain Service until 1988.Then he went to work for Northside Elevator until his retirement in 1996.George and Darlene enjoyed traveling to Israel, Egypt and all 50 states.He was an active member of York Center United Methodist Church and an avid Euchre Card player.He will always be remembered for his laughter, smiles and gift of gab.Surviving George is his wife; Darlene of 56 years, children; Cindy (Bruce) Lammers of Rice Lake, Debbie (Bucky) Ruggles of Chili, Laurie Bixby-Cook and G. Rodney Bixby both of Neillsville.He is also survived by 17 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren, a brother, John Bixby of Marshfield and a sister, Iota Jensen of Ollie, Iowa.Funeral Services for George will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.Pastor Mike Herdt will officiate.Providing music will be Pastor Mike and Pastor Pat Herdt.Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Gesche Funeral Home and again from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday before the service.Burial will be in the York Center Cemetery.Military Honors will be accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.Serving as casket bearers will be his grandsons, Jeremy Ruggles, Philip Lammers, Hunter Cook, Andrew Bixby, Ryan Opelt and Ryan Dillenbeck.Honorary Casket Bearers are Ryan Cook and Caleb Bixby.