Frank & Bright Funeral Home

« Return to Obituaries | Print

CSM Dixon S. Barfield, U.S. Army (Ret.)

veteranApr 28th, 1936 - Nov 22nd, 2023

Funeral:  2 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora

Visitation:  1 until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home

Interment:  Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia, with the presentation of military funeral honors

 

     Command Sergeant Major Dixon S. Barfield, U.S. Army (Retired), age 87, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army passed away the morning of November 22, 2023, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

     He was born April 28, 1936, to Levy and Dorcas Barfield.  Dixon grew up in Lumberton, N.C., where following high school at age 17, he joined the service with his parents’ signature of consent.  He married Linda (Spicer) Barfield in Xenia, Illinois, on June 9, 1957.  They enjoyed 66 ½ years of marriage.  Having lived 49 of those 66 years in Germany they remained there in retirement in 2009.

     Dixon served 30 years in the Army and following retirement did not feel his service was complete, therefore he spent the next 20 years teaching at the New York Military Academy and completed his teaching in Germany heading the ROTC Program in Baumholder.  He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major.  He served in Korea, Vietnam, and earned the Legion of Merit Award and Bronze Stars with oak leaf cluster.

     Following his second retirement from serving, Dixon was happiest working in his garden and caring for his flowers.  His diagnosis of Parkinson’s in 2004 didn’t stop his work of tending to the many varieties of roses.  He was a great history buff, a collector of stamps and antiques, and was a proud owner of a 51-year-old Mercedes convertible.

     CSM Barfield is survived by his loving wife, Linda, sisters-in-law, Lulu Mae Rascher and Betty (Gene) Pieplow, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Other survivors include special friends, the best neighbor in the world, Martin Sowiak and his German grandson Tim Dalheimer, who always took him for a ride in his “oldtimer” convertible.

     He was preceded in death by his parents Levy and Dorcas Barfield, a brother Lanier and wife Pauline Barfield, sister Carolyn Barfield-Chaldy, parents-in-law, Fawn and Leland Spicer, and a brother-in-law, Roy Rascher.

     A funeral ceremony honoring the life of CSM Barfield will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia, with the presentation of military funeral honors.  A visitation will be held from 1 until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com

RecentObituaries

Larry Childers

Sep 23, 1942 - Dec 7, 2024

Jim Ward

May 13, 1948 - Dec 6, 2024

Howard Deimel

Nov 5, 1946 - Dec 6, 2024

Rose Mary McKnelly

Jun 5, 1937 - Dec 5, 2024

Malachai Wildbur

Sep 13, 1985 - Nov 30, 2024

 

 

Condolences

Greg and Deanna Hamilton

December 12th

December 13th

Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

Barbara E. Rapp

December 13th

I remember Dixon well. He was a kind and interesting man. I had not lived in the Xenia area, very long, when I met him and his lovely wife, Linda. I loved hearing his stories about life in Germany. I shared with them, a love of all things old, and they invited me to their home above the store, to see their many antiques. Their's was a life well lived.

shelby and jennifer davis

December 15th

Thank You for you service!!

Jack Serafin

December 17th

"We are all here for a micro instant. We don’t fret about the eternity which preceded us, and we obsess about the eternity to follow. Yet, in the 4fh dimension of time, each moment is also an eternity. For us, mere mortals, the shame is when we waste those moments, as the sum total reverberates forever, happy or sad, as it emanated from the beginning. It is not how long we live which matters, but rather how we live." On behalf of myself, the family of the New York Military Academy, and his many friends, alumni, instructors, and admirers, I would like to extend our deepest condolences on your loss. Dixon was revered by his peers, especially his students at the academy, , and earned lifelong respect and admiration of all whom encountered him. His undying support, guidance, and friendship was akin to a lantern in the night. May you be comforted, as we will be, with fond memories of his service and friendship. Respectfully, Jack Serafin NYMA Class of 1966 President, Regiment of Graduates

Prince and Chris Young

December 23rd

Rest in Peace Warrior

Matthew Rongey

February 13th

CSM Barfield was an inspiration to many JROTC cadets at Baumholder, including me. He was a great leader, teacher, and mentor.

 

Candles

Larry Frost
Jack & Freda Stanfield
Scott & Susan Suntrup
Dana Hosick
Dawn & Darian Cazadd
Jim and Linda (King) Grove
Micheal W. & Kristal G. Engelmeier
Mike and Emily Putbrese
Bryan & Gayla Land
Wayne Eastin & Diane Johnson
Kerry & Christy Rascher
Debbie Howe
Sue Williams
David Bryden
John & Marla Corry
Gary and Pam Sessions
Dwight & Betty Edgington
Linda Lawrence
Carolyn Bohl
Brian & Tina Pieplow
Scott Pieplow
Daniel, Jessica and Ronan Pieplow
Joanne Hillderbrand Rogers

 

Write a Condolence



Share Obituary

 

Light a Candle

Select a candle tribute and enter your name (or names) below. Click "Light Candle" when completed.

Choose a Candle



Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services

500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839

Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]

Receive "First Notice" Updates

Enter your email address below to receive updates when new obituary notices are posted to our website