Dixie L. Rathert, 82, passed away Saturday morning at her residence near Ohio City.

She was born on July 11, 1942, in Adams County, Indiana, the daughter of the late Robert D. Tope and Mary Marie (Girod) Tope. She was married to James Wilson who passed away on August 25, 1970. On March 25, 1977, she married Dennis L. Rathert who survives.

Other family members include her children, Cindy (Kevin) Heller of Decatur, Indiana, Denise Chavarria of Van Wert, Diana (Mark) Breece of Van Wert, Trent (Stacy) Dawson of Van Wert, Tonya (Michael) Green of Van Wert and Heidi (Shawn) Clay of Van Wert; a sister, Joyce Witte of Decatur; two brothers, Rex (Nancy) Replogle of Van Wert and Jeff Replogle of Wren; a brother-in-law, Robert Stuckey of Van Wert; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

Besides her parents, Dixie was preceded in death by her step-father, Paul Luther Replogle; two children, Rodney Dawson and Julie Wilson Miller; a brother, Steven A. Replogle; a sister, Norma Jean Stuckey; a brother-in law, Herman Witte and a great granddaughter, Emberlynn Dawson.

Dixie was a 1960 graduate of Van Wert High School and had worked at the Holiday Inn, Wal Mart, and Universal Lettering. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, canning but especially her children and grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2025, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home. There will be calling hours 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2025 and 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., on Friday prior to services.

Preferred memorials are to St. Jude's Children Hospital.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.