Dwight S. Baxter, 93, of Rushville died at 4:15 p.m. Oct. 21, 2014, at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.Dwight S. Baxter, 93, of Rushville died at 4:15 p.m. Oct. 21, 2014, at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born June 29, 1921, in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, a son of Herman C. and Mary Sargent Baxter. He married N. Eloise Moore on March 22, 1944, in Rushville. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Betty Sue Ford of Chapin; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Louise McClelland; and two brothers, Donald B. and Ralph H. Baxter.
He graduated from Rushville High School in 1940. He farmed for 35 years. He worked at International Harvester until he became a certified meat inspector in 1965 for the federal government and State of Illinois, retiring in December 1991. He also was co-owner of What’zit Shop in Rushville.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rushville.
He was a charter member and Past President of Rushville Lions Club, where he served on many committees and received the Melvin Jones Award. He also was a charter member and first president of Rushville High School FFA. In 1948, he was president of Western Illinois Aberdeen Angus Breeders Association. He was a 4-H leader for Oakland 4-H Club, a member of Advisory Council for the construction of the new high school, a member of Schuyler County Economic Development Corporation and its design committee, beef superintendent of Schuyler County Fair for several years, a member of Corridor 67 Committee and an RSVP volunteer. He also volunteered at Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center, where he did extensive remodeling and building. He received the Illinois Reaches Out Award for Volunteerism in 1997. He was grand marshal for Smiles Day in 1997. He received the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for community service in 2000.
Services were held Friday at his church with Reverend Grant Armstrong and Morris McClelland officiating. Burial was in Rushville City Cemetery. Wood Funeral Home in Rushville was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Houston United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.
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