From the Daily Review Atlas in Monmouth Illinois. Dated Dec., 1940

Mrs Bixler of Smithshire Dead

This was my Great Grandmother

Mrs. Kate C. Bixler, a lifelong resident of the Smithshire neighborhood, passed away at Monmouth hospital at 5:30 o'clock last evening, after being under treatment there for the past six weeks, her illness beginning with a stroke of paralysis.

Kate C. Birdsall was the daughter of John and Abigail (Wentworth) Birdsall, and was born near Smithshire, April 19, 1859. ( This was actually near Salters Grove in Henderson County) She was married to John S. Bixler and he passed away April 14, 1916. She is survived by two children, Glen Bixler of Smithshire and Mrs. Charles Harris of Monmouth. There are four grandchildren.

Mrs. Bixler was the last survivor of a family of six children, one of her brothers having been the late Dudley Birdsall, well known to many people in Monmouth. She was a woman of fine Christian character and a devoted mother. Funeral services will be held at the Lugg and Holliday Memorial Chapel on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and interment will be in the family lot in Center Grove cemetery at Kirkwood.

The following Monday Dec 10, 1940

Mrs Kate C. Bixler
Funeral services for Mrs. Kate C Bixler, lifelong resident of the Smithshire community, were held at the Lugg and Holliday Meorial Chapel yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. John Lugg was in charge and Mrs. Lee Menchoff sang "Going down the Valley" and "Abide by me." Burial was in the family lot in Center Grove cemetery at Kirkwood and the pall bearers were E. J. Bellis, Joseph Bellis, Guy Gettemy, Ira Hackett, Ashley Wemple and Clarence Wemple. Despite the unusually early hour the Chapel was well filled with relatives and friends. Among the relatives from a distance who attended the service were Mrs. Mary Gettemy, Guy Gettemy, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Hackett, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wemple, their son and a friend Mrs. Edith Lane. Mr. and Mrs. John Currie, all from Chicago.