Obituary of Kenneth E. Bixby

CANISTEO: Kenneth E. Bixby, 92, of West Main St. passed away Thursday (Jan. 26, 2012) at his home following a brief illness. Ken was born February 27, 1919 in Portville, to Lou and Lena (Clark) Bixby. On June 7, 1947 in Obi, N.Y. he married Lida M. Frost who survives and resides in Canisteo. He was predeceased by two sisters: Doris Bixby and Pauline Merrick and two brothers: Arnold and Leonard Bixby. Ken was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII from 1941-45. He had served with the Second Armored Division (Hell on Wheels) under Generals Omar Bradley and George S. Patton. Ken served five years in various European and African campaigns receiving two Bronze Stars. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the D-Day Invasion at Normandy. He was a heavy equipment operator for National Fuel for 33 years retiring in 1983. He had attended the Hornell Christian Missionary Alliance Church for over fifty years and loved to garden, tend to his lawn and watch the many birds around his home and bird feeders. Ken was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved the company of his family and friends any place and any time. In addition to his wife Lida, to whom he was married to for 64 years, Ken is survived by two sons: Michael (Patricia) Bixby and Larry (Priscilla) Bixby all of Canisteo and one daughter Susan Cole of Canisteo. His eight grand children: Jeff Cole, Sandra Thompson, Amy Gonzalez, Lisa Markel, Becky Sable, Chad Bixby, Brent Bixby and Beth Smith, 16 great grand children: Dustin, Skyler, Lauren, Isabella, Annelise, Grace, Danny, Jakob, Miguel, Kayla, Kelly, Ryan, Jacob, Emma, Lillian and Alden. Ken is also survived by a sister Eleanor Wakefield of Angelica as well as several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a warm, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Collins and staff and the nurses of Southern Tier Hospice for the care and comfort that was given Ken during his illness. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Sunday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo, where funeral and committal services with military honors will take place Monday at 11:00 AM with Rev. Daniel Stiller officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Ken Bixby's name may be made to either Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd. Corning, N.Y. 14830, the Canisteo American Legion, Post 846, 61 West Main St., Canisteo, N.Y. 14823 or to the Gideon Memorial Fund, c/o Lee A. Ryan, P.O. Box 236, Almond, N.Y. 14804. Service: Monday, January 30, 2012 11:00 AM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY Visitation: Sunday, January 29, 2012 2-4 and 7-9 PM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY