Rev. Roger Bixler

Rev. Roger Bixler, 94, of Berne, Indiana passed away early Monday morning, May 19, 2025, at Swiss Village.

He was born on August 1, 1930, in Berne, Indiana to the late George and Lucile (Kattmann) Bixler. On August 23, 1953, Roger was united in marriage to Emma Jane Nussbaum at the First MennoniteChurch in Berne, Indiana, and Emma preceded him in death on April 10, 2025.

Roger was a 1948 graduate of Berne High School. Following high school, Roger attended Bob Jones University and Faith Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was given an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University. Pastor Bixler was a minister of the gospel having pastored at Westerville Bible Church in Westerville, Ohio for 32 years and Avoca Bible Church in Avoca, Wisconsin for five years. He also traveled for Gospel Fellowship Association Missions for ten years. He was active in the Decatur Baptist Church. Roger was a founding member of the Ohio Bible Fellowship and Peniel Bible Camp.

Roger enjoyed watching sports. He was a Hoosier by birth, but a Buckeye by choice. Roger and his wife, Emma, enjoyed traveling around the country and doing mission work abroad serving in England, Scotland, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, South Korea, and South Africa, amongst other visits to Europe and South America.

He is survived by three daughters, Brenda (Pastor Ron) Ruse of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, Jill (Pastor William) Jones of New York, New York, Karen (Pastor Matt) Austin of Stevens, Pennsylvania; 11 grandchildren, Laura, David, Krista, Alaina, Lynnette, Bill, Garrett, Brad, Cherie, Jennifer and Kate; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Carolyn Steiner, Margaret Kwok, and Janet Bixler, and two siblings in infancy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Swiss Village Chapel with Pastor David Stratton officiating. Private family burial will precede the service at M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.

Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service at the Swiss Village Chapel on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund, Gospel Fellowship Association Mission, or Ohio Bible Fellowship.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana