Hoyle Dixie Neubert

Hoyle Dixie Neubert, 86, passed away peacefully the morning of August 20, 2020, at his home on Highland Farm, Georgetown, Illinois. He was the son of Hoyle Dean and Mary Elizabeth (Cook) Neubert, born on July 23, 1934 in Olivet, Illinois. After graduating from Georgetown High School in 1952 and two years in the US Army, he returned to Illinois to join his father and uncles in the next generation of Neubert farmers. He married the love of his life, Monica Ann Stella of Danville, Illinois on May 6, 1956. Dixie was preceded in death by his son, Chris Allen, on April 15, 2008. A loving family survives him: his wife Monica, daughter Glenna, grandchildren Preston and Kaloni Dunlap and husband Brad, daughter-in-law Tonya Lierman and husband Terry, and an extended family of Neuberts, Cooks, Stellas and Carpenters. For over 40 years, Fred Staub has worked alongside Dixie and Chris, and he is loved as family. Dixie often said at least a million times "I couldnt have done it without him." Farming was his everything. His purpose, his community and his "church." He had a strong work ethic and demanded much of himself and others. Dixie took pride in his business, educated himself and set an example for his family. He wanted things a certain way: freshly mowed yards, no weeds creeping around buildings and fences, equipment washed and waxed. His tools and work bench organized, the site of his many projects and inventions. The fellowship of farming was important to him too, making friends every step of his life. As a youth, he traveled the fair circuit showing his Hampshire hogs. As an adult, in the early years, he raised hogs and beef cattle, sold Funks G seed corn and did custom field work. Later he narrowed his focus to corn and soybeans, joined many farm organizations and formed lasting friendships along the way. "Communing with nature," he would often say. That describes his spiritual connection to the Earth and the cycle of life. Sixty-four years of farming, hours riding through the fields, tending to the needs of livestock and watching the weather, Dixie was Mother Natures eager student. Fishing was his favorite summer getaway, taking trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the family fish camp in Tennessee and all parts in between. He would return home with a chest of fish, raise the barn door, fire up the fryer and welcome everyone to a feast. He loved to travel near or far, taking his family on road trips through the Midwest and later, vacations to Las Vegas, Florida, Hawaii and Maine. Dixie is a Past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 332 in Danville and through the years of membership, he and Monica shared a great experience. He enjoyed the ritual competitions among the lodges, as a competitor and later a coach. He was one of few ever to recite the poem "Thanatopsis" from memory in competition. Model train collecting filled his days of retirement, building elaborate settings. Dixie and Monica would travel to train shows and conventions, sharing the hobby. Home on the farm was his favorite place, though, where he would watch the nature around him, visit his pond and pass the day with Monica, except for the weekly outing of the "Lunch Bunch" with his pals eating his favorite chili, oyster stew or burger. Food has always been a big thing in the Neubert family. His mother made superb pies and cakes and the best chicken and noodles. But no one could compare to Monicas cooking. Every meal was a feast and the lasagna parties and celebration dinners were all made special by her. He often told her "you should open a restaurant." Seated at a table with him, be it Chatham Tap in Indianapolis or Mabels Lobster Claw in Maine or Mikes Grill in Danville or the Steak n Shake where Dixie and Monica first met, he would entertain his family with stories, his one-line wisdom or poems he liked to recite. One favorite of his, the last stanza of the poem Barter by Sara Teasdale: "Spend all you have for loveliness, Buy it and never count the cost. For one white singing hour of peace Count many a year of strife well lost. And for a breath of ecstasy Give all you have been, or could be." In closing, the family is grateful to the many caregivers and OSF Hospice for their compassionate care these past months. There will be no services at this time. Arrangements were handled by Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown, Illinois 200 E. West St. Georgetown, Illinois 61846. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Georgetown Fair Association, PO Box 204, Georgetown, IL 61846. Please join his family sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.