Obituary for Anthony Traxler
Anthony Joseph Traxler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, professor and gerontologist, 83, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away September 18, 2022. He died peacefully at Meridian Village, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and COVID.
Anthony was born in Black Creek, WI, on February 8, 1939, second youngest of nine children. He was the cherished husband of Patricia Anne (Horkheimer) Traxler, and the loving father of Dr. Mary Pat (Dr. David Kopacz) Traxler of Seattle, WA, Melanie (Jeremy Rothenburg) Traxler of St. Louis Park, MN, Anthony (Theresa) Traxler of Columbia, IL and Julie (Nick Heynen) Traxler of Madison, WI. Anthony was a precious grandfather to Benjamin and Layne Traxler, David Rothenburg, and Violet and Penelope Heynen. He is also survived by one sister: Vivian (Peter) Bons of Appleton, WI and 32 beloved nieces and nephews. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Murphy) Traxler and Anton Traxler and his siblings: Geneva, Rita, Monica, Marian, Patricia, Sally and Joseph.
Anthony spent part of his childhood in Camas Valley, OR, where he developed a love for the greatness of nature. He returned to Wisconsin and the supportive embrace of his sisters who were living there, finishing high school and becoming established as an adult while living in the homes of sisters Geneva and Marian.
While taking a class at Marquette University, Anthony met his beloved wife, Patricia. The pair married at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 28, 1964. Anthony earned his master’s degree in psychology at Bradley University while working concurrently at Caterpillar. In 1969, Anthony earned his psychology Ph.D. from Penn State University. Later that same year, he took a job at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he was a professor from 1969 until he retired in 2007.
At SIUE, Anthony co-founded the Masters program in School Psychology. He also founded and directed the Gerontology Program. As Gerontology Program director, Anthony planned and hosted the beloved Senior Fair each year, where senior citizens would be bused in from miles around to do health screenings, listen to music, ballroom dance, socialize, and generally feel loved, treasured, and part of a warm and embracing community whose center was Anthony Traxler.
Anthony loved people. And people loved him. His children got used to Senior Citizens squeezing their arms and telling them what a wonderful father they had. He was also the patriarch of a large, extended family, and there was no “job” he loved more.
Aside from personal appreciation, Anthony won many professional honors and awards. He was a leader in the study of the elderly. His research to help understand adult development and aging, elder abuse and neglect, and mental health and aging was recognized not only nationally but also world-wide. He was admired by the students and faculty of SIUE, not only for his knowledge, but also for his kindness and desire to see everyone succeed.
Anthony was an active member of St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville for over 30 years, and he deeply valued his religious faith and parish community. Throughout his lifetime, he loved to garden and cook. Even though he was a vegetarian for most of his adult life, he always enjoyed making both vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties for those he loved.
Anthony will be remembered for his warmth and integrity, his intellect and beautiful smile, his love of education and trust in God, and his positive attitude and very generous heart.
In celebration of his life, a visitation will be held on Friday, September 23rd, from 10:00-11:30 AM with a funeral mass to follow at St. Boniface Church, 110 North Buchanan Street in Edwardsville. Father Jeffrey Goeckner will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Boniface Catholic Church.
Anthony was born in Black Creek, WI, on February 8, 1939, second youngest of nine children. He was the cherished husband of Patricia Anne (Horkheimer) Traxler, and the loving father of Dr. Mary Pat (Dr. David Kopacz) Traxler of Seattle, WA, Melanie (Jeremy Rothenburg) Traxler of St. Louis Park, MN, Anthony (Theresa) Traxler of Columbia, IL and Julie (Nick Heynen) Traxler of Madison, WI. Anthony was a precious grandfather to Benjamin and Layne Traxler, David Rothenburg, and Violet and Penelope Heynen. He is also survived by one sister: Vivian (Peter) Bons of Appleton, WI and 32 beloved nieces and nephews. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Murphy) Traxler and Anton Traxler and his siblings: Geneva, Rita, Monica, Marian, Patricia, Sally and Joseph.
Anthony spent part of his childhood in Camas Valley, OR, where he developed a love for the greatness of nature. He returned to Wisconsin and the supportive embrace of his sisters who were living there, finishing high school and becoming established as an adult while living in the homes of sisters Geneva and Marian.
While taking a class at Marquette University, Anthony met his beloved wife, Patricia. The pair married at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 28, 1964. Anthony earned his master’s degree in psychology at Bradley University while working concurrently at Caterpillar. In 1969, Anthony earned his psychology Ph.D. from Penn State University. Later that same year, he took a job at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he was a professor from 1969 until he retired in 2007.
At SIUE, Anthony co-founded the Masters program in School Psychology. He also founded and directed the Gerontology Program. As Gerontology Program director, Anthony planned and hosted the beloved Senior Fair each year, where senior citizens would be bused in from miles around to do health screenings, listen to music, ballroom dance, socialize, and generally feel loved, treasured, and part of a warm and embracing community whose center was Anthony Traxler.
Anthony loved people. And people loved him. His children got used to Senior Citizens squeezing their arms and telling them what a wonderful father they had. He was also the patriarch of a large, extended family, and there was no “job” he loved more.
Aside from personal appreciation, Anthony won many professional honors and awards. He was a leader in the study of the elderly. His research to help understand adult development and aging, elder abuse and neglect, and mental health and aging was recognized not only nationally but also world-wide. He was admired by the students and faculty of SIUE, not only for his knowledge, but also for his kindness and desire to see everyone succeed.
Anthony was an active member of St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville for over 30 years, and he deeply valued his religious faith and parish community. Throughout his lifetime, he loved to garden and cook. Even though he was a vegetarian for most of his adult life, he always enjoyed making both vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties for those he loved.
Anthony will be remembered for his warmth and integrity, his intellect and beautiful smile, his love of education and trust in God, and his positive attitude and very generous heart.
In celebration of his life, a visitation will be held on Friday, September 23rd, from 10:00-11:30 AM with a funeral mass to follow at St. Boniface Church, 110 North Buchanan Street in Edwardsville. Father Jeffrey Goeckner will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Boniface Catholic Church.