Erma Ravenscraft Nixon, age 85 of Lomax, Illinois died at 6:20 a.m. Thursday November 11, 2010 in the Gilpin Home of Dallas City, IL. She was born August 30, 1925, the daughter of Clifford and Bertha Baxter McGraw. She married Earl Ravenscraft in August of 1943. He preceded her in death in May of 1979. She later married Harlan Nixon on October 26, 1984 in Monroe City, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 10, 1988.

Erma had worked at Sylvania Corporation in Burlington for 10 years. She and her husband, Earl, had operated the Wayside Inn in Gulfport for many years and in 1965, they purchased the Pink Tavern in Lomax, Illinois, which she operated until her retirement. She was a member of the Women Of The Moose and the VFW Auxiliary. She loved to travel and going dancing.

Survivors include two daughters - Ruth (Dino) Ganakes of Biggsville, IL., Phyllis (Dean) Ishmael of Morristown, TN., one son- Harold (Maude) Ravenscraft of Lomax, eleven grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, one sister - Pauline Woods of Gladstone, IL., and three brothers- Robert (Kate) McGraw of Gladstone, William (Pat) McGraw of Quincy, IL., and Lee (Pat) McGraw of West Burlington, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, one daughter - Frankie Hill, and one sister - Frances Fye.

The funeral for Erma will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday November 14, 2010 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Pastor Cheryl Simpson officiating. Burial will be in the Biggsville Cemetery, Biggsville, Illinois. Visitation will be from Noon until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the Funeral Home. Memorials have been established for the Alzheimers Association and Blessing Hospice of Hancock County. Condolences may be left at www.banksandbeals.com.