Jean Hazel Obituary (1919 - 2025)

Ivah Jean Hazel, age 105 years old, of Lake Odessa, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, March 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was the middle of 7 children and was born October 30, 1919, in Clarksville, Michigan to the late Gottlieb and Ida Pearl (Hanson) Roth. A few years after graduating from Clarksville High School with the class of 1937, Jean met the love of her life, Russell Hazel. The couple got engaged in 1941, however, due to WWII, Russell was deployed overseas with the U.S. Army. During Russell’s time away, Jean worked on the inspection line at the AC Sparkplugs factory in Ionia, which was a supplier to Ford Motor Company. Russell returned home in the fall of 1944, and married Jean on December 22, 1945, and started their life together in Lake Odessa. They had two children and celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage together prior to Russell passing away in 2010, at the age of 92. It was obvious to anyone who knew Jean that she lived life to the fullest and loved to have fun. Never one to sit on the sidelines, in her youth, Jean enjoyed dancing and bowled in a league. She was an amazing cook and spoiled her family with her pies, cookies, homemade meals, and famous dinner rolls. Even when her age required her to slow down, she still enjoyed taking trips to the casino and cheering on her favorite teams, the Detroit Tigers, and Michigan State basketball. She loved watching game shows and was still solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles and answering Jeopardy questions even at the age of 105. Jean is survived by her two children, Thomas (Shawn) Hazel and Sally O’Rielly; 7 grandchildren, as well 17 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; her son-in-law, Patrick O'Rielly; her parents; and all of her siblings, Darwin (Lorrain) Roth, Doris (Henry) London, Agnes (Irwin) Harwood, Clare (Ellen) Roth, Patricia (Ray) Light, and Donald Roth. Memories of Jean will forever be a legacy of love and she will be greatly missed. Jean was a selfless and amazing caregiver for several children and other family members throughout the years. All of the grandchildren have fond memories of going to grandma’s house. She was a wealth of historical information and stories, and those will live on for generations to come. Any donations in Jean's memory can be made to the Jackson-Mutschler Auxiliary VFW Post 4461 in Lake Odessa, MI. Per Jean’s wishes cremation has taken place and a graveside ceremony with family will take place this summer. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jean’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory or photo, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.