Darol Henry Bixby, age 78, of Wells, died Wednesday, June 25, at his home in Wells.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 30, at United Methodist Church in Wells with military honors by the Wells Color Guard. The Rev. Arthur Keith will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, June 29, at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 1-4 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Darol was born on Nov. 10, 1924, in Welcome, Minn., the son of Joseph Alvin and Irene Doris (Brodt) Bixby.

He attended and graduated from Garden City High School. He served in the U.S. Navy (four years) in World War II and the Korean War (one and one-half years) and served in the Navy Reserve for three years. He married Nellie Hohrmann on Aug. 27, 1946 in Mankato. He was employed at Schultz Motor Co. for five years and Carlson Motor Electric in Wells for 35 and one-half years. He was a life member and past commander of the Wells American Legion and Wells VFW posts, past district #2 commander of VFW, past commander of the D.A.V. chapter #32, life member and past master of Doric Lodge #87 of Wells, past worthy patron of Ruby Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Wells, member of Osman Shrine Temple of St. Paul and the Shrine Club of Albert Lea, member of Halcyon Order of Eastern Star of Albert Lea, and member of Royal Neighbors and the Elks Lodge of Albert Lea. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wells. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and all sports. He used to play softball and baseball in Garden City and Wells.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Bixby of Wells; two daughters: Josrene R. Klocek of Somerset, Wis., and Barbara L. Stratton of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two sons: David D. and wife Nancy Bixby of Wells, and Thomas A. and wife Cindy Bixby of Lutz, Fla.; son-in-law, David Bayless of Carthage, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Florence Volkert of Dennison, Minn., Elsa Salesman of Argyle, Wis., and Emma and husband Carl Iverson of Northfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marilyn; two sons-in-law; three granddaughters, two in infancy and Anna Bixby in 1996.