Zella “Dixie” B. Mayer, 99, formerly of Rockton, passed away on November 10, 2012 at Martin Health Care in Bloomington. Born on September 11, 1913 in Onida, South Dakota, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Kate (Vanderkolk) Maloney.
She married William Stephens in 1936 in Chicago. He preceded her in death in 1982. She married her second husband, C. Warren Mayer in 1987 in Belvidere and he died in 1998.
Dixie along with her first husband, William “Bill” Stephens, owned and operated Viking Shade Company for over 40 years on E. State Street in Rockford. They retired in 1981. In 1982, they were in a car accident in Missouri, where Bill died from injuries and Dixie was not expected to live. She survived another 30 years.
She loved to travel and with her first husband, Bill, she went to India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Alaska.
After her accident, she went to Europe, Australia. With her second husband, Warren, she went to China along with several trips to Florida and Nevada.
Dixie was a long time member of Second Congregational United Church of Christ in Rockford.
She is survived by her son, Brad (Dang) Stephens of Bloomington, four grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, daughter, Patricia Edgar; sisters, Lucille Hutchinson, Edith Hawes; brothers, Irvin Maloney and George Maloney.
The family would like to thank Martin Health Care (Westminster Village, Inc.) and OSF Hospice for their continued care for “Dixie” in her final days.
No services are scheduled. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Cremation rights accorded. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park. Memorials may be made to Martin Health Care, Bloomington and Second Congregational United Church of Christ, Rockford. Online condolences may be submitted at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com
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