Hazel E. Ross

HAZEL E. ROSSage 94, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2007 at her home. Though unexpected, death came peacefully after many months of declining health. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born Sept. 7, 1912, in Ashton, IL on a large family farm near the edge of town. When Hazel was just seven, her mother and baby sister both died and Hazel went to live with her grandmother in Ashton for a time. A few years later, she was able to rejoin her father at the farm but soon the two of them moved to Rockford, IL where her father became a successful realtor. Hazel was a bright child and following high school, went on to study at Brown’s Business College in Rockford. Married in 1930, she was blessed with two daughters, Norma and Betty. Their father did not remain long with them and Hazel settled into the challenge of raising the girls alone. In the early forties, at the outbreak of WWII, there was work to be found in Aurora, IL and Hazel moved there to work at the Lyon Metal Company. Soon she found a better job at the Stevens-Adams Company (now Borg-Warner) and worked her way from the assembly shop to inspector. She was a member of U.A.W. Local 1615 and proud of her work record. She remained at the company, often working six days a week, for some twenty-three years.Following retirement, Hazel continued to live in Aurora until 1968 when she came to make her home in Sugar Grove with her daughter, Norma and her family. Hazel’s strong will and independent spirit was mirrored in her daughter and the two of them made life "interesting" for each other. United against the world however, they were a force to be reckoned with and together, they weathered life’s storms and shared its joys with great spirit and good humor. Hazel’s "window to the world" was through her reading and keeping up with the television. She entertained herself with Solitare and her "sweet tooth" was fond of Fanny Mae Candies and toasted marshmallows. In earlier years, she had been active in the First United Methodist Church, Aurora and enjoyed attending the Sugar Grove Methodist Church whenever she could. In later years, she especially looked forward to a visit from "Pastor Steve" with communion and, at Christmas, the arrival of the church carolers. SURVIVORS She is survived by her daughter, Laura "Norma" Holst of Sugar Grove, Eight grandchildren: Jeff (Suzette) Everett of Riverview, MI and Steve (Sandy) Everett of Orlando, FL and Christopher Carter of Texas;Greg (Theresa) LeCompte of Aurora,Laurie (John Conlin) LeCompte of Minnesota, Judy (Andrew "Andy") DeFalco of Tennessee,Grant LeCompte of Florida andScott LeCompte of Michigan;Several Great Grandchildren:(Jeff’s) Samantha, Johanne (Steve’s) – Christina, (Greg’s) – Dawn and Kimberly (Judy’s) – Sarah and Andrea(Grant’s) – Ashley,Several Great Great Grandchildren:(Dawn’s) Gina (11-birthday 8-3), Virginia (7), David (6) and Robert (4). PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Christopher and Laura Julia (Schaeffer) Vogeler. And her daughter, Betty LeCompte. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Hazel’s name. Memorials checks may be made to the Hazel Ross Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address. Her complete obituary may be found at www.conleycare.com. For information call 800-8-CONLEY.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 from 5 pm to 7 pm with funeral services to follow at 7:30pm. The Rev. Steve Good will officiate.

Interment will follow at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Aurora, Thursday morning at 11am.