Robert Dale Mixer (1925 - 2020)

Born 26 Mar 1925 in Adams, Illinois, United States

Died 31 Jul 2020 at age 95 in Payson, Adams, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Robert "Dale" Mixer, of Payson, IL, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday July 31, 2020 at 10:25 p.m., in his home in Payson, IL.

Dale, the son of Jesse and Mary Harriett (Hattie) Mixer, was born in Adams County on March 26, 1925. He married Dorothy (Wollbrink) on June 7, 1956, and she survives.

Dale was the youngest of six, and was preceded in death by his brother Arlie Mixer, a brother Lyndell Mixer, his sister Zelma Ranney, and 2 brothers who died in infancy. Since his father, Jesse, was blind Dale had the responsibility to lead his father to different places to work as well as around at church activities.

Dale was a graduate of Liberty High School in 1943. Dale was then drafted into the Army and served in WWII in the Field Artillery and transferred to the Air Corps, where he worked in the office and often played baseball. He was discharged in 1946 and entered Western Illinois State College at Macomb and played baseball for four years. During these years and on summer vacation he played ball with many local teams and the Moline A's, the minor league team for the Philadelphia Athletics. In the summer of 1947, he was called up to the Philadelphia Athletics as a catcher for 10 games, batting .303. During his sophomore year at Western he batted .416 and was voted Conference M.V.P. He graduated in 1950 and went to Colorado State College, receiving a Master's in Education in 1951.

He returned to Illinois and began a career in education. He served in several area schools as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and coach. After 35 years in education he retired in 1986 from teaching. He was a member of the Payson United Methodist Church. Dale was also a member of the Payson/Plainville Lions club, the Payson Masonic Lodge, the Adams County Farm Bureau, and the Adams County Retired Teachers Association. He regularly volunteered as a Red Cross Blood Donor. He also enjoyed working on the farm and raising cattle. He spent his spare time playing games, solving puzzles, writing poetry, and listening to Cardinal Baseball.

Dale is survived by his wife and their son Randy (Marsha) Mixer of Quincy, IL; a daughter Kathy Mixer (Amy Kientzle) of Quincy, IL; a daughter Keela (John) Dyer of Mooresville, NC; and a daughter Lorinda Mixer of Hannibal, MO. He had four grandchildren Hannah Mixer (Kyle Dobbs), Leann (Brandon) Pillars, Danielle (Kyle) Robinson and David Dyer, as well as three great grandchildren, Brayden Pillars, Morgan Pillars and Emma Dobbs.

A private service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020, with burial at Bluff Hall Cemetery in Payson, Illinois.

Memorials can be made to Bluff Hall Cemetery Fund, Blessing Hospice, Payson United Methodist Church, or the Payson/Plainville Lions Club.

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Hansen-Spear FH

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213991568/robert-dale-mixer: accessed 02 August 2022), memorial page for Robert Dale Mixer (26 Mar 1925–31 Jul 2020), Find a Grave Memorial ID 213991568, citing Bluff Hall Cemetery, Fall Creek Township, Adams County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Iriss Hill (contributor 46617720).