Hazel M. Steele

HAZEL M. (WIDAU) STEELE, age 99 of Camden, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Helen & Don Whitesell where she had resided for the past several months. Helen's brothers and sisters wish to extend their deep appreciation and thanks for the compassion, love and excellent care she and Don provided.

Mrs. Steele was born March 7, 1911 and was the only remaining sibling of eleven children born to the late George L. & Charlotte (Mabis) Widau. Hazel grew up in and around the College Corner/Oxford area graduating from McGuffey High School in 1929, at the time a private school in Oxford, Ohio. Although it was the onset of the great depression, she found work at the local Kroger store in College Corner where she met her future husband, Everett Steele who passed away June 9, 1983.

After years of being a homemaker, Hazel went to work at Miami University where she remained until her retirement in 1976. During retirement she enjoyed visits to California, Florida and Georgia. She enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, reading & cooking; especially baking. Hazel also enjoyed opera and at age 85 was surprised with tickets to attend a performance of "Madame Butterfly" at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton as a birthday gift from her granddaughter Dawn Brill.

Hazel is survived by her nine children: Evelyn (Herb) Summers, Athens, TN; Frances (Arthur) Webb, Camden; Neil (Marion) Steele, Gainesville, GA; Nick (Mildred) Steele, Camden; Elaine (Jack) Vivian, Lancaster; Helen (Don) Whitesell, Camden; Dottie (Bob) Williamson, Centerville; David (Brenda) Steele, Camden and Martha (Mike) Spellman, Brentwood, CA. Also surviving are 19 Grandchildren: Curtis (Melinda) Horn, Soddy Daisy, TN; James (Joan) Webb, Loveland; Dawn (Dave) Brill, Jensen Beach, FL; Heather (Wayne) Olson, Orlando, FL; Kathy Fairchild, Medway; Michael Steele, Huber Heights; Debbie (Tim) Woods, Kenosha, WI; Jamie (Steve) Staley, Union; Lori (Steve) Dahm, Englewood; Betsy Gray, Camden; Jill (Dewayne) Terry, Middletown; Polly Steele, Portland, OR; Elizabeth (Tom) Shaeffer, Raleigh, NC; Ty (Anna) Whitesell, Amelia; Susan (Tim) Kieffer, Marion; Jeff (Shannon) Steele, Camden; Rhonda (Randy) Hall, Eaton; Molly Spellman and Michael Spellman, both of San Diego, CA; 36 Great Grandchildren; 8 Great Great Grandchildren (Another expected in August); 16 Step Grandchildren; 21 Step Great Grandchildren and 7 Step Great Great Grandchildren; 2 Sisters-in-law: Betty Widau, Liberty, IN and Leona Webb, Hamilton and several Nieces and Nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Earl, Faye & Cecil Widau and 7 sisters: Irene Updike, Vi Reister, Clara Goble, Pearl Sayers, Mae Morrison, Helen Widau and Martha Widau. Also preceding her in death is a granddaughter, Sonciarae Cox, step granddaughter, Sandra Alabaugh, son-in-law, Ledford Horn, daughter-in-law, Joyce Steele and great-great grandson, Cody Kopp.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Thomson and staff for their excellent care; VITAS Hospice of Dayton, especially Marty, Leah, Jennie & Ashley for the wonderful care, guidance and support they provided and to Pastor & Mrs. Ed Decker for their comforting visits.

Visitation will be held at the Nein–Barnes Funeral Home, 249 N. Main St., Camden, OH from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2010. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, 8215 U.S. Rt. 127 North, Camden on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 with Pastor Ed Decker and Rev. Marvin Hocker officiating. Interment will be held in Fairmount Cemetery in Camden where her six grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com