Madeline Gray Hix

Madeline Gray Hix, 87,of Portage, Wisconsin, formerly of Danville and Fairmount, Illinois passed to eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 11 at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage after living with cancer for almost 20 years. Madeline was born December 4, 1916 in Peoria, Illinois, daughter of the late J. Frank and Louise Degenford Gray. On October 28, 1939, in Danville, she married Dale Hix who preceded her in death July 2, 1972. Her sister, Vivian Shaffer, brothers-in-law, Al Shaffer and William Gray also preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Robert (Barbara) Hix of Montello, Wisconsin, a daughter, Cassandra Hix of Birnamwood, Wisconsin; two grandchildren, Bryan (Susan) Hix of Elgin, Illinois, and Rebecca (Marc) Romano of Eagle River, Alaska: a sister, Virginia Gray of Roseville, California; two nieces, Linda Gray Lenches and Jill Shaffer Mattis; two nephews, Joe Gray and William Shaffer. One nephew, Philip Shaffer, preceded her in death also. There are numerous great-nieces and nephews and lifelong friends in Danville and in the antique business community throughout the United States. Madeline graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse before marrying her husband in 1939. She began her career as an Antique Dealer while carrying on her nursing duties, and, eventually, pursued the path in the antique business fulltime, managing and promoting shows in many states. Her career spanned over 60 years, health causing her retirement at age 83. During that time, she traveled extensively overseas, especially in England where she purchased many of her specialties, such as art glass and jewelry. In 2000, she received a Golden- 50 Year -Award from the Lions Club for her service as manager of the Columbia, Missouri show. Her activities and hobbies included membership in the Eastern Star, life-time member of the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge, national zone director of the National Association of Antique Dealers, and member of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Danville. Her special pastime was taking ocean cruises in the Caribbean and to Alaska. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Montello, Wisconsin.