Former Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Dies

A former Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge has died. Richard Hixson passed away Tuesday evening at Genesis Hospice in Zanesville. Hixson is credited with building the Muskingum County Justice System. Presiding Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle says Hixson built the current probation department and established domestic court. The former JC Penny’s building in downtown Zanesville was named the Richard D. Hixson Court and Government Services Building. Hixson sat for 30 years on the bench as the head of Common Please Court until his retirement in 1999. Hixson served as an attorney before his election to the bench. The Mock Miller Funeral Home in New Concord is handling the arrangements. Visitation is Friday from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Saturday at the Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Hixson will be laid to rest at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.