Dixie Arlene Irwin

Dixie Arlene McKinsey Vierk Irwin, 83, of Indianapolis, passed away on the evening of April 22, 2025. She was born on October 5, 1941, to Harold and Helen McKinsey in Frankfort, Indiana.
Ms. Irwin attended Frankfort High School and graduated in 1959. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Purdue University. She was proud when she went back to Purdue, while raising her daughters, and completed her master of science in education from Purdue in 1989.
She married her first husband, Gary Vierk, of Lafayette, IN, and together they had two children, Pamela and Kristina. Later, Dixie married her second husband, John Irwin, of Frankfort, IN, who had two children, Brent and Betsy.
Ms. Irwin dedicated her life to serving others - as a substitute teacher, in the healthcare field, raising her daughters, and staying actively involved in her church. A constant thread in her life was her desire to always help others and to teach others about Christ. Dixie was widely known for her unwavering positive attitude; she had a gift for seeing the good in everyone and every situation. She always expressed how proud she was of all of her grandchildren, whom she cherished deeply.
Dixie is survived by her first husband, Gary Vierk; her daughters, Pamela (Randy) Gentry and Kristina (Joel) O'Neil; stepson Brent (Timotea) Irwin and stepdaughter Betsy (Casey) Anes; her grandchildren: Austin Gentry, Aaron Gentry, Abbie Gentry, McKinsey O'Neil, Justus (Caylie) O'Neil, Addison O'Neil, Cooper O'Neil, Brianna Batts, Tyler (Alyssa) Batts, Erik King, Nikolas Camper, and Sarah Irwin; great grandchildren: Aiden and Macy Batts; her cousin, Debi Nackenhorst.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Helen McKinsey; and her special cat, Suki.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis, IN on April 29, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The funeral service will be held directly after the visitation at 11:30 AM. Graveside services will follow at Bunnell Cemetery in Frankfort.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to nonprofit Morning Light's Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, where Dixie spent her final months. Your support will help ensure others can experience the same comfort and care at the end-of-life.
Donations can be made online: https://morninglightinc.networkforgood.com/projects/146164-abbie-hunt-bryce-home-donation
Or addressed to: Morning Light Inc, 4760 Pennwood Drive, Indianapolis, In 46205.