Ruth (Bixler) Downing

Ruth B. Downing, 98, passed away on Saturday (Feb. 12, 2011) at the Newton Presbyterian Manor.

Ruth was born on Nov. 1, 1912, in Beatrice, Neb., to Harold and Stella (Sparks) Bixler. The family moved to Emporia, where Ruth grew up and attended Emporia schools. She received a Life Teaching Certificate from Emporia Teachers College and taught elementary school in Melvern, Deerfield and Ulysses.

She married Madison T. Downing on July 15, 1934. They loved to dance, especially to “Big Band” music. Ruth and Madison were married for 55 years. He passed away in 1991. They had three children: two daughters, Karen Monroe of Newton and Lana McDonald of Bella Vista, Ark., and one son, Scott M. Downing of The Villages, Fla. She had four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Upon retirement, she traveled extensively to foreign countries and sites in the United States. She especially enjoyed traveling on bus tours.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Stella (Sparks) Bixler; husband, Madison T. Downing; two sisters, Lolita Axcell and Roberta Keller; three brothers, Paul, Hugo and William Bixler; and one grandson.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 15) at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel. The final resting place will be Fairlawn Burial Park in Hutchinson. There is no visitation. A memorial has been set up for the Newton Public Library in care of Petersen Funeral Home.