Dixie J Willis, 85, of Petersburg, Indiana, passed away on January 5, 2023. Dixie was born in Pike County, Indiana, to John Dello and Maime (DeJarnett) Houchins on April 27, 1937.  She married the love of her life, Gardner J. Willis, on August 10, 1952, and they were happily married for 56 years. Dixie was a homemaker, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed making baby blankets, quilting, cooking, baking and decorating cakes and photography.  She had a great love for gospel music, and she had a wonderful singing voice.  She loved Jesus and attending church her whole life and later when she couldn't get out to church, she enjoyed listening to the preachers on TV.  She always had a beautiful smile.  She loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren dearly. Dixie is preceded in death by Gardner J Willis (husband), her parents Dello and Maime Houchins, son Rickey Allen Willis, and 6 siblings. Dixie is survived by daughters Teresa (John) Melhiser & Lisa (Ron) Gladish; daughter-in-law Sue Willis; grandchildren Beth (Joe) LacKore , Amy (Mike) Dressel, Keith (Georgia) Melhiser, Jessica (Cody) Troutman, Jenni (Richard Riley), Jordan (Kelsey Scherzer) Melhiser, Chelsey (Ryan) Houchin, Casey Frederick, Cody (Audrey) Frederick, Lucas (Leslie) Roberts, Leslie (Adam Jarboe) Roberts, Alex Roberts, Justin (Kayla) Gladish, & Courtney (Jordan Butzin) Gladish; 24 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.\

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, January 8, 2022, at O.D. Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg, Indiana, with burial to follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery.  Visitation will be from Noon until service time at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at odharrisfuneralhome.com