WILLIAMSPORT - Richard L. Mix, 86, died on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Williamsport Home.

He was married to the late Miriam L. (Swan) in August 1957 and they celebrated almost 51 years of marriage at the time of her death in July 2008.

Richard was born March 25, 1929 in Williamsport and was the son of the late Robert S. and Irene (Eiswerth) Mix.  He had graduated from S. Williamsport High School, received his Bachelor's in history from Lycoming College, received his Master's in education from Bucknell and Mansfield Universities and did Graduate study at Ohio University, Cortland SUNY and Penn State.

He was a Corporal with the US Army and served during the Korean War, stationed in Germany.  He had retired from the Williamsport Area School District in 1988 after teaching for 36 years there and in Loyalsock Township.

Richard was a member of the Pine Street United Methodist Church, Kappa Phi Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa and has been a member of the following organizations: Masons, Mayflower Society, Roger Williams Family Assoc., Eddy Family Assoc., Holt Family Assoc., Mix (Meeks) Family Assoc., Society of War of 1812, Society of the Indian Wars, Founders and Patriots of America, Sons of the Union Veterans, Sons of Colonial NE, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Pennsylvania Canal Society, First Families of Connecticut, American Canal Society, Life member of Lycoming County Genealogical Society, Palatines to America, NEA, PSEA, Lycoming County Historical Society, Life member Muncy Historical Society and the Registry of Infamous and Famous Relatives in American Families.  He had been a former member of: Sons' of the Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.  He is a life member and former Vice President and Program Chairman of the Lycoming County Historical Society, member and former board member the Friends of James V. Brown Library, member and past president of the Tiadaghton Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, past State Chairman of Graves Registration Committee SAR, and former State Historian of the Pennsylvania SAR.

He was the author of seven books on local history, developed and delivered slide presentations on numerous local history topics, including the history of Williamsport, the history of Lycoming County, the Pennsylvania Canal, and the history of the Northumberland Presbytery. He was the 12th generation to live in America with no name change - only spelling – descended from Thomas Meeks in the New Haven Colony of 1643.  He was a lateral relation Tom Mix who was a silent cowboy movie actor.

In the Mayflower Society, he used John Billington as his ancestor; joined the SAR using 19 ancestors; and was an ancestor of Sir Henry de Bohun, a Magna Carta Surety in 1215.

He and his wife had traveled extensively, including to Europe 4 times, the holy lands, and had been on 60 Elderhostels.

Richard is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Scott R. and Paula (Sneidman) Mix of Lansdale and Andrew J. and Karen (Hanby) Mix of Downingtown, five grandchildren; Genevieve, Ian, Robert, Daniel and David Mix and nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother: Robert Mix and one sister: Jean Mix Kaiser.

There will be a visitation 7 – 9 PM Friday, February 26, 2016 at the James C. Maneval Funeral Home, Ltd., 500 West 4th St., Williamsport.  The funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the Pine Street United Methodist Church, 441 Pine St., Williamsport with the Reverend Douglas M. Eberly officiating.  Burial will follow in the Montoursville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Richard L. & Miriam L. Swan Mix Award in honor of William George Butler, c/o WASD Education Foundation, 2780 West 4th St., Williamsport, PA 17701.