Dixie Striker

Dixie Ann (Stinehelfer) Striker, 85, of Bucyrus, Ohio, passed away at 1:10 a.m. on Friday, June 7, at Altercare Bucyrus, surrounded by family and lifted up in prayer by loved ones near and far. A cheerful soul, she is remembered by the many lives she touched - whether as a babysitter of many years, a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and dinner coordinator at Woodlawn Methodist Church, a voting volunteer, an active member of the American Cancer Society, or a familiar face at Col. Crawford and Bucyrus school sporting events.

Dixie was born March 12, 1939, in Bucyrus, to the late Myron “Mike” and Barbara (Holt) Stinehelfer. She attended Bucyrus Schools, graduating from BHS in 1958. She met her husband Donald Striker at Freddie’s when their mutual friend set them up, and they married August 23, 1959. They stayed close with a group of original couples for decades, coming together annually to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Dixie found joy in taking and sharing (many) photos, gardening, creating applique sweaters and handmade cards to give as gifts, watching and spoiling neighborhood hummingbirds and squirrels, and watching and reading mystery stories. She was always the first to spot a robin in the spring. She was a committed pen pal since age 16 to her friend Elsie Harrison in England, and the two visited each other several times over the years.

Dixie always had something delicious cooking or baking in her kitchen, and her grandkids fondly remember her as the “gum grandma” because of the dish of bubble gum on the top of her refrigerator. A member of the Col. Crawford Lions Club, she was recognized in 1984 as the “Pita Queen,” as she contributed the original recipe for Pitawurst that became the Club’s signature menu item at the annual Bratwurst Festival.

Most importantly, Dixie was a beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. Dixie is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Don Striker; children, David (Kathy) Striker, Dan (Sonja) Striker, and Lori (Walter) McNabb; grandchildren, Valerie (Steve) Pokorny, Kristin (Paul) Weisheit, Sarah (Aaron) Paynter, Michael (Gabby) Striker, Sister Cordis Iesu (Elizabeth Striker); Steve (Aliza) McNabb, Laura (Joshua) Peeples, Joe (Tiffany) Powers, Nick (Elizabeth) Powers, and Adam (Amber) Powers; 24 great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; her brother, Norris (Barb) Stinehelfer; sisters-in-law, Lee Stinehelfer and Debbie Stinehelfer; brother-in-law, Charlie Swanson; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Dixie was preceded in death by a great granddaughter and four siblings, Ivan Stinehelfer, Paul Stinehelfer, Michael Stinehelfer, and Jenny Miller Swanson.

Don and family will receive friends on Monday, June 10 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am at Woodlawn Methodist Church with Pastor Sean McLeod officiating. Dixie will be laid to rest privately in Whetstone Cemetery.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Col. Crawford Lions Club, Woodlawn Methodist Church, or American Cancer Society and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook.