Howard E. Nix

Dr. Howard E. Nix, 96, of White Heath, formerly of Galesburg, died peacefully at home on February 23, 2012. Howard was born April 3, 1916 in Madison, TN, the son of William and Laura (Huey) Nix.  He married Carrie Vanderbilt in Madison, TN in 1943.  She preceded him in death in 1973.  He is survived by 2 daughters, Mary Smith of Los Angeles, CA and Shirley (John) Carmody of White Heath; 2 sons, Kenneth (Velma) Nix of San Antonio, TX and Leslie (Diane) Murphy of Virginia; and a sister, Laura DeWitt of Decatur, GA.  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren including  Megan Carmody of Canton, MO, Patrick Carmody of White Heath, Jennifer Weigle of San Diego, CA, Lisa Smith of Los Angeles, CA; 2 great grandchildren, Christopher and Shyanne of Sand Diego, CA.  Howard was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Mildred Joyner and Mary Lee Richards; and a brother William E. Nix.  He was a first cousin of Rip Nix who was previously married to June Carter. Howard served in the US Army Medical Corps during WWII, and was with General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge and received a Bronze Star.  He graduated from Madison College as a Registered Nurse in 1942 and graduated from the National College of Chiropractic in 1948 as a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. Howard was a Psychiatric RN at Hinsdale Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Eastern Oklahoma State Hospital among others.  He was a missionary in Dublin, Ireland for Seventh Day Adventist Church by establishing chiropractic practice from 1949 to 1965.  Howard was known throughout eastern Ireland as a great healer and exemplary citizen.  He adopted two Irish Children, Shirley – who was brought to him by the nuns of a convent to heal, and Leslie.  After his return to the US, Howard practiced nursing in several settings until his retirement.  He spent his last years with Shirley and John Carmody in White Heath, and was cared for by the loving staff of Carle Hospice. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Watson Funeral Home, Galesburg.  Rev. Tony Crouch will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the funeral home.  Entombment will follow in Warren Co. Memorial Park, Monmouth.  Memorials may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Galesburg.