Dixie Jean Moler-Piper

Dixie Jean Moler – Piper age 80 of Claremont, Illinois formerly of Sumner, Illinois, passed away at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital on January 12th 2024, due to heart complications. 

Dixie was the daughter of Gleneva Leathers – Stanley and Harry Moler. 

Dixie was a prospective member of the DAR Lawrenceville, Illinois Chapter. Dixie was an artist and a former member of the Olney Arts Council. Dixie was an art instructor for IECC doing in home classes. Dixie ran an online bookstore called “Dixie’s Books and More.” Dixie was a published author of two children’s books inspired by her grandchildren, “Cornfield Dragons” and “Grape Bones.” These books are still sold on Amazon. Dixie was a 4H Leader of Prairie Busy Bees. Dixie owned and operated Dixie’s Antiques Shop Highway 50 near Sumner, Illinois.

Dixie was employed by Evansville Goodwill Industries working at Threads of Hope in Olney at the time of her passing.  Dixie formerly worked at Senior Citizen Center, Olney, Illinois, and Masters Hands of Olney, Illinois, Lawrence County Humane Society, Dixie worked as a home Health aide. Dixie was an independent contractor for IDHS as a medical transport driver. Dixie worked at the White Dinner Cafe in Lawrenceville, Illinois as a teenager. Dixie worked for Texaco Refinery as a Gate Security Guard. 

Dixie’s most recent and cherished work was as a Daughter of the American Revolution. She worked with her daughter on the restoration of Utterback Cemetery, Claremont, Illinois. This project was her pride and joy. She worked tirelessly with her daughter to restore the headstones to their best quality and to identify the burial locations of souls buried there. Prior to her passing Dixie arranged for a new sign to be made and placed on the Hwy 50 side of the Cemetery. Dixie passed before the sign could be placed. Work on restoring the Utterback Cemetery will continue by her Utterback restoration team. 

Dixie is survived by significant other Richard “Moose” Rodrick of Claremont, Illinois. Dixie is survived by her first husband Thomas Edward Piper and wife Thelma Piper of Olney, Illinois. Dixie and Tom had two daughters, Kelly Harris and husband David Harris of Olney, Illinois and Dana Volk and husband Patrick Volk of Claremont, Illinois, three grandchildren Dusty Johson, Jessica Volk – Senger, Savannah Volk – Hopwood, eight great grandchildren Jazzmyn Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Elizabeth Cook, Urijah Senger, Jael Senger, Terry Totten, Abagail Totten, and Sheldon Hopwood. Dixie is survived by brother Johnny Moler and wife Sandie Moler of Birch Run, Michigan, sister Judy Kiser and husband Randy Kiser. of Bridgeport, Illinois. Dixie is survived by a half-brother Frank Anderson of Marshall, Missouri, and half-sister Rebecca Anderson Criddle Escondido, California. Dixie was survived by her second cousin Donna Moler of Pikeville, NC. It gave Dixie great joy to reconnect with members of the Moler family thanks to Ancestry. com. Dixie is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dixie was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Robert “Bobby” Moler of Lawrenceville, Illinois, a great grandson, Geoffry Johnson of Olney Illinois. 

Dixie was hard working and accomplished much in her life, she was loved by so many and was a blessing.  She will be deeply missed. No formal services or arrangements have been made at this time.  A celebration of life will be announced in the Spring.