Frances J. Dixon

HANCOCK, Mich. — Frances J. Dixon, 84, a resident of Hancock and former Ironwood resident, passed away Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at the U.P.-Health Portage Hospital following a short illness.

She was born on Nov. 20, 1932, in Rice Lake, Wis., a daughter of the late Fred and Reva (Hogeboom) Haechler. Frances was raised in the Ironwood area and was a graduate of the Ironwood High School with the class of 1951.

In 1952, she was united in marriage to Robert Perl. The couple resided in the Ironwood area and, after 17 years together, went their separate ways. In 1968, she was united in marriage to Jack Dixon. The couple resided in Ironwood and in 1991, Jack preceded Fran in death.

Mrs. Dixon had first managed Bob’s Dairy Bar in Ironwood and then worked as a legal secretary in the Ironwood area until her retirement in 1981. She moved to make her home in Tucson, Ariz., until 2015, when she made the Bluffs Senior Living Community in Houghton her home.

While residing in Ironwood, Frances was a member of Salem Lutheran Church. She was active with the Grand View Hospital Auxiliary and was chairman of the Red Cross Blood Bank for six years. When she moved to Tucson, she was a member of Dove of Peace Lutheran Church.

Also preceding her in death were her great-grandson, Joshua White, her brother, Wayne Hogeboom, and special friend, John Willis.

Survivors include her daughter, Debra (John) Vaara, of Hancock; grandchildren Dan Vaara, of Hancock, Amy (Travis) VanTighem, of DeWitt, Mich., and Melissa (Christopher) White, of Corpus Christi, Texas; three great-grandchildren; her brothers: Fred (Marlene) Haechler. of Kent, Wash. and Don (Sharon) Haechler. of Manchester, Wash., several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service for Frances will be held next spring in Riverside Cemetery of Ironwood.

To view Frances’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.