Frederick Ellis Nixon

        Frederick Ellis "Fred" Nixon, age 84, of Bannister, MI, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023, at Sparrow Health Systems Sparrow Campus, Lansing, MI     
    Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes  Elsie, MI, at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 11, 2023,  with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and on Friday, November 10, 2023 from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI.
     Fred was born in Owosso, Michigan on July 28, 1939, the son of Ralph and Mary (Scriba) Nixon. Fred graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1957.  Fred married Carole A. Fabus on May 7, 1960 at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Bannister, MI.      
     Upon graduation Fred worked at MMPA until he bought his farm where he and Carole planted their roots and raised their family. He was a lifelong farmer and also worked for Westphalia Dairy for 18 years. After retirement he worked along side his son doing deer processing for 20 years. Fred enjoyed tractor pulls, spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and playing softball. He looked forward to annual hunting trips out west with friends and family. Fred never met a stranger and had a gift to talk to people everywhere he went. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  
     He is survived by his wife Carole Nixon; children: Cindy and Paul Bolanowiski, Jim and Kim Nixon, Sue and Mitch Irish, Patty and Chet Atkins, Bob and Kelley Nixon, Pam and Jason Grieder; grandchildren: Cody and Nikki Nixon, Kaleigh Atkins, Porscha and Nick Wilson, Austin Nixon, Zackary and Brandon Grieder, Kylie Atkins, Mercades Grieder, and great grandchildren: Cole and Grace Nixon and Jaxson Wilson. He is also survived by his siblings: Ralph and Carol Nixon, Mary Ann Schlarf, sister in law Andrea Clark, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John Nixon, brother in law John Schlarf, father and mother-in-law Andrew and Mary Fabus, and brother and sister-in-law Louis and Marilyn Kuchar.   
Memorials may be made to A-Tractive Tractor Club Ithaca, MI 48847. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.