Hazel M. Hays (87) of Watson

Hazel M. Hays, 87, of Watson, IL, passed away at 7:20 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, with the Rev. Lucas Shelley officiating. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery, Watson. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made in loving memory of Hazel to the D.A.V., Watson Cemetery, or donor’s choice.

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Hazel was born on August 6, 1928, in LaClede, IL, the daughter of Charles Floyd and Jeanetta Blanche (Kepner) Givens. She married Hugh F. Hays on June 1, 1947, in Farina, IL, and he preceded her in death on March 24, 2013. Hazel was a member of Watson Baptist Church in Watson. She retired from St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham where she worked as a ward clerk after 36 years of service. She loved writing poetry and shared her talent with her family and co-workers. Hazel was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She enjoyed and collected angels and her character exemplified this in her daily life.

Hazel is survived by her daughters, Debby Harris and Sherry Hays, both of Effingham and Sandi (John) Cantwell of Bloomington, IN; son, Ron (Torrie) Hays of Edmond, OK; former sons-in-law, Wendell Harris of Effingham and Jeff Strole of Terre Haute, IN; grandchildren, Barrett (Erin) Strole and Justin Strole, both of Bloomington, IN, Chris Harris, Mindy (Jered) Pals and Kevin (Megan) Harris, all of Effingham, Dr. Tanner (Krystal) Hays of Edmond, OK, Thad (Dr. Molly) Hays of Tulsa, OK, and Zach Clouse, Kelsey Clouse and Shelby Clouse, all of Bloomington, IN; great-grandchildren, Morgan Strole, Noah Mulheron, Haydn Pope, Finley Pals, Rylan Pals, Jenner Pals, Eli Strole, Truett Pals, Rucker Harris, Easton Strole, Lorelai Hays, Cash Harris, Tucker Hays, Carter Hays, and Stella Strole; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Helen Phelps; brothers, Virgil Givens, Leo Givens, and Glen Givens; and former son-in-law, Steve Clouse.