Hazel Isbell

Hazel Isbell, age 96 of Strasburg, died Thursday, November 17, 2011 following a brief battle with cancer. Born at Moorhead, Minnesota on March 14, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Donald and Caroline (Olson) Churchill. At age four the family moved to Ohio and settled in Beach City. Hazel attended school there for 12 years, graduating in 1933. She then attended Aultman Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse in 1936. In 1937 she married Verne Isbell of California. They were married by his father, Rev. Ralph Isbell, in a lovely wedding at the home of Verne’s brother and sister-in-law, Lyle and Margery Isbell. They made their home in California at North Hollywood, Glendale and Thousand Oaks. Hazel worked as a nurse in a war plant that made plastic canopies for fighter planes. After that she worked at the Glendale Emergency Hospital, assisting in surgery with many industrial accidents, also at Glendale Community Hospital dispensing medicines, doing dressings and working with postoperative patients. She loved working in her many flower gardens and attending craft classes, doing china painting, ceramics, painted the “Desert Rose” and “Apple” pattern sold by Franciscan Ware. She and Verne belonged to two miniature clubs, he made the boxes and some of the furniture and she furnished the boxes, which were on display at various places. Hazel also belonged to the “Angeleno” and Hollyhock” doll clubs and has a doll collection. Verne and Hazel belonged to the First Lutheran Church of Glendale, CA. They traveled a lot in the U.S. and up into Canada and the islands. They also vacationed in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Paris and Italy. They also attended many bus tours after moving to Ohio. During the last 22 years, Hazel belonged to the Women’s Club of Strasburg, the Seasoned Seniors at St. Johns Church and a card club with many dear friends. Hazel and Verne enjoyed a long and fun filled life. They have one daughter, Bonnie Tillotson of Ukiah CA; a granddaughter, Mystra Tillotson, of Lamoore CA; a sister, Barbara Hartline of Massillon, OH, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband Verne; two brothers, Jim and George Churchill, and one granddaughter, Elizabeth Tillotson. The Reverend Hugh B. Berry will lead a memorial service on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 2PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. In keeping with Hazel’s wishes there will be no prior calling hours. Instead, the family will greet friends at a luncheon following the service which will be held in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Funeral Center. Memorial contributions in Hazel’s name may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.