Hazel J. Markus
Visitation: Monday, June 18, 2018 from 4-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Funeral: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home with burial to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.
Hazel Janell Markus, age 89 of Sturgis, passed away peacefully on Friday June 15, 2018 with cherished family members by her side. Hazel was born September 9, 1928 in Grove Hill Alabama though spent the majority of her younger years in the Mobile area. Hazel married Edward Louis Markus, of Colon, on December 6, 1952 while Edward was stationed as a staff sergeant at Brookley Field Air Force Base in Mobile where they met. After Edward’s discharge they settled in Sturgis where Edward, who most often referred to Hazel as “Nell”, built their home and together they raised five children.
Hazel worked for many years as a Nurse’s Aide at Sturgis Hospital where she captured the hearts of countless patients under her tender and fun-loving care. She truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures such as her fantastic cooking, die-hard Detroit Tiger fan, winning at bingo, doing puzzles while watching Family Feud and Dancing with the Stars, and endless hours of fishing. However, few things lit her inner spirit like singing and clapping to the local Wasepi Bluegrass Gospel Singers playing her favorite Gospel songs.
She had an uncanny ability to reach people in a positive and caring way and will always be remembered for her kind-heartedness and unselfish giving and love, and especially displaying this love for any baby within eyesight. Hazel is survived by her dear brother Gordon Vickers Jr. of Andalusia AL, her beautiful sister-in-law Helen Holtz of Sturgis, her son, David Markus and wife Christine of Saratoga California, her 4 daughters, Debra Emerson and husband Larry of White Pigeon, Sandy Smoker of Kalamazoo, Dianne VanTassel and Kathy Garcia, both of Sturgis, and many beautiful grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews all of whom she loved unconditionally and so dearly.
Hazel was most recently a resident in The Villa at Thurston Woods in Sturgis where the employees and residents she embraced as family. Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by Hazel are invited to share in her memory at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon from 4-8PM Monday. A service at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM where afterward she will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Edward at Colon Lakeside Cemetery.
A celebration of Hazel’s life will be planned for later in the summer. Donations in Hazel’s memory may be made to the St Joseph County Humane Society or the Michigan Epilepsy Foundation.
