Fairley, Frances 'Alberta' Bixler

Frances “Alberta” Bixler Fairley, 93, of Marion, formerly of Savanna, Ill., and Olin, Iowa, died Monday, June 14, 2010, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin, with Vicki Standley officiating.

Interment will follow at the Olin Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour before the service.

Surviving are her daughter, Kathleen Baker; three grandchildren, Melody (Larry) Horgan, Kristen Morlan and Michael (Melanie) Baker; and five great-grandchildren, Zachary and Gregory Horgan, Emily, Kassandra and Mitchell Morlan.

Alberta was born Oct. 27, 1916, in Olin, Iowa, to Earl and Edith (Long) Bixler. She was a graduate of Olin High School. She married Clare Fairley on June 13, 1936. She worked many years at the Savanna, Ill., Garment Co., and retired in 1980 from Alco/Eaton.

Preceding her in death were her husband; her parents; two sisters, Evelyn Postel and Clarice Story; and a brother, Harland Bixler.

The family requests flowers be omitted.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Marc Wilkinson, the staff at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion, Hospice of Mercy and Mercy Medical Center for their care and support.

Online condolences may be left for the family at