Officials Rule Out Foul Play in Man’s Death

Richland County officials have ruled out foul play in the death Tuesday evening of Ronald G. Nix, 27, of rural Olney.

Nix’s body was found with two gunshot wounds in the chest about noon Wednesday in the home of Jerome Keller of rural Olney. Nix had been a farm worker and mechanic for the Keller family for about the past three years.

An autopsy was held Thursday morning and an inquest will be scheduled after the lab results are received.

Officials recovered a .44-caliber Army revolver from the room Nix was using as a bedroom. Sheriff Harry McPheron said he believes that was the gun used to fire the shots that killed Nix. He said he is awaiting the results of tests from the state crime lab.

The Decatur Herald (IL) – Friday, August 11, 1978

Ronald G. Nix, 27, Olney, Rt. 5 was found dead about noon Wednesday, August 9, 1978 at the home of the Jerome Keller family in Decker Township. Nix had been employed as a farm helper by Keller for several years.

He was born in Olney, son of Leo and Marjorie (Dehlinger) Nix, and was never married. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Olney.

Surviving are his parents: brothers and sisters, Thomas Nix of Olney, Mrs. Ronald (Beverly) Grubb, Portland, Ore., Franklin Nix, Jasper, Ala., Ramona Nix, Phyllis Nix, Bradley Nix, Marita Nix and Teresa Nix all at home.

Services at St. Joseph's Church, Olney with Rev. Fr. Tom Miller officiating. Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Olney.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)