Don G. Pixley

Don G. Pixley, age 81, of Rochester, Michigan, died peacefully surrounded by his family on June 21, 2010. He was born June 12, 1929, in Detroit to the late Vern A. Pixley and his wife, the late Edith Reynolds Pixley. He graduated from Rochester High School, attended Albion College and graduated from Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science. He led a normal life in spite of being afflicted with polio at a young age and was most proud of his sobriety since 1974. He proudly served the funeral profession in his family’s business his entire life, beginning with the family furniture store and ambulance services. He most valued his marriage and his family. Active in is community his entire life, he was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years. In the early 1960’s he served on the Rochester City Council, was past president of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association – District #6, served on several committees of the National Selected Morticians, past trustee for St. Paul’s UMC, a member of the Community Foundation of Rochester, the Crittenton Hospital Foundation Board, an active member and treasurer of the Michigan Polio Network, a charter member of Great Oaks Country Club, a member of the Rochester Rotary Club and was past Grand Marshal of the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade in 2008 and was involved with the Older Persons Commission. He held Navigator Status, was fully certified with the U.S. Power Squadron and sailed his boat through the intra-coastal waters to Florida.

On June 19, 1956, he was united in marriage to Ernestine Dribben Pixley at Paint Creek Methodist Church. This marriage was blessed with his loving children, Martha Mishler and her husband, Dan; Susan Lauri and her husband, Tony; Vern Pixley, II and his wife Lori, and David Pixley. He was the proud grandfather of Philip, Emily, Jillian, Andrew (Don G. Pixley, II) and Alex. Brother of the late Joyce Yerex and uncle of Mark Yerex, Bob Yerex, Beth Ryan and Mary Lossau.

Following services at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, he will be laid to rest at Mt. Avon Cemetery.