Obituary of Rebecca R. Bixler

Rebecca R. Bixler, 86 of Iowa City died Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City. Memorial services will be held at 10 am Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the First Mennonite Church in Iowa City, where visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Rebecca Ruth Troyer was born December 31, 1927, in Elkhart, IN, the daughter of Miles and Mary (Reif) Troyer. She attended elementary schools in Elkhart, and she graduated from Hesston Academy in 1945, Hesston, KS. She then attended Goshen College graduating in 1951 with a BA degree in Education. She taught schools in Elkhart following graduation for a couple of years. On June 20, 1953, she was united in marriage to John Bixler at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart. The couple moved to Iowa City where for two years she worked for the University Hospitals as a nursing assistant in child care. For the years to follow she raised her family and supported her husband in their music business. "Becky" enjoyed so much in life, her family, church, gardening, canning her fruits of labor, and her music brought much joy to her life and so many others around her.. Her family, friends, visitors from the groups with the University, church, missions and more experienced a "World Class Chef & Hostess". She had strong beliefs in those causes she supported including the Hancher Guild, UI Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Rails to Trails, Common Cause, The Democratic Party, and of course her church, First Mennonite Church of Iowa City, a member for over 60 years! Her family includes her husband, John; their four children, Debra Brown (Robert); Samuel Bixler ( Carol); Amy Bixler; and Peter Bixler (Dana Noble); 6 grandchildren; and her sisters, Margaret Miller (Vernon), Grace Helmuth and Vera Weaver (James). She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Darda Troyer; and two sisters, Dorothy Miller (Ron) and Fern Erb (Fred), Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Rebecca's family and her services.