Hazel Irene Kepler's Obituary
Hazel Irene Kepler, 95, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away March 3, 2023, at Fair Havens Senior Living Center.
Hazel was born in Dieterich, Illinois, on September 26, 1927, the daughter of Cecil and Mayme (Bryan) Lewis. After graduating from Beecher City High School, she became a factory worker. She later worked for JCPenney in downtown Decatur, where one of her duties was to attract toy car buyers by driving one of the cars around the store. She was an enthusiastic crafter, proving her talent in beaded banners, plastic canvases, baskets, wreaths, and quilts. She had a very strong work ethic, which was evident in both her job and her volunteer work. Hazel was a member of the Penney Pals, a group of retired JCPenney workers. She married Frankie Knierim, and he preceded her in death in 1972. She later married Horace Kepler, and he preceded her in death in 2011.
Hazel is survived by her children, June Ellen Bunning and Bob (Joni) Knierim; stepson James (Debbie) Kepler; siblings Donald Lewis, Aileen (William) Hupp, and Judith Marshall; grandchildren Donald (Ruth Garrison) Bunning, Crystal Kepler, Jennifer (Lee) Sharp, Anthony (Samantha) Knierim, Alyssa (Greg) Staggs, and Ashley (Alex) Kidd; and great-grandchildren Morgan, Brett, Brian, Elliana, Hendricks, and Declan. She was preceded in death by both her husbands, her parents, her son Tommy Lee Knierim, and siblings Gerald Lowell Lewis, Cecil Howard Lewis, Randall Lewis, Kenneth Lewis, Janet Lewis, and Norman Lewis; and son-in-law Eugene Bunning.
Visitation for Hazel will be held from 10am to 11am on Thursday, March 9, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 11am in the funeral home. Burial in Fairlawn Cemetery will follow the service. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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