Bixler, Donald 'Whitey'

Donald “Whitey” Bixler, 87, of Clarence, died July 16, 2011, at Mercy Iowa City. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at St. John's United Church of Christ, with the Rev. David Mears officiating. Inurnment: Clarence Cemetery, with military rites by Clarence American Legion Post 286. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence.

Born Aug. 29,1923, on his grandfather's farm north of Clarence, he was the son of Clarence and Emma (Sonnemaker) Bixler. He married Gladys Arlene Liercke on May 10, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Donald graduated in 1941 from Clarence High School. During World War II he served in the 45th division, 157th regiment. He was captured at Anzio Beachhead in February 1944 and was a Prisoner of War for 14 months. He was in the trucking business his entire working life, with Frahm and Bixler Trucking, Don Bixler Trucking and then with his brother Jim as Bixler Bros. Trucking.

Whitey was a member of the Clarence American Legion, St. John's UCC and the 9 o'clock coffee club. He was honored to be the Grand Marshall in the parade celebrating the 150th year of Clarence.

Survivors include two sons, Robert (Mary) of Mount Pleasant and Steve (Lynn) of Clarence; two daughters, Kathy (Jeff) Meyer of Tipton and Dixie (Tom Marks) Bixler of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Brandi Bixler, Aaron Bixler, Ryan Meyer, Alaina (Erik) Christian, Emily Meyer, Brock (Paige Kack) Bixler and Cale (Brittney) Bixler; great-grandchildren, Abby, Aicia, Braxton and Bailey; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlene “Toni” on March 19, 1996; brothers, Everett and Jim; and Toni's family, Wifred and Essie Liercke and Howard and Donna Blake.

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