Obituaries: McKean

Dixie McKean

Dixie Dell McKean, 69, passed away at 3:35 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Asta Care Center in Bloomington.

A private family service will be held. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dixie was born on June 13, 1945 in Nora Springs, Iowa, a daughter to Earl and Ruth Bistline Dyer.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine Hanson; honorary daughter, Julie Wesemann; two grandchildren, Haley Tipsord and Benjamin Stephey, all of Bloomington; six siblings, Gale Dyer, Glen Dyer, Gene Dyer, David Dyer, Juanita Zeiger and Shelley Hensiak; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents; a brother, Gary Dyer and a sister, Sherrey Dyer.

Dixie had a love for travel and on top of visiting most of the states within the United States., she also conquered Paris and a lot of the Western and Eastern Caribbean.

Her greatest passion was music. Not only was she able to play several different instruments, she was a song writer, singer and performer. One of the highlights of her career was recording and releasing two of her own songs with Brack Enterprises in Nashville, Tenn.

Those who knew Dixie will remember her best for her carefree spirit, her silly personality and her optimistic outlook on life.

Online condolences may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…