"Hazel was a lovely lady and will be missed by all who knew her. She was always so upbeat and helpful to families in time of need. truly a caring person. I always enjoyed our chats when delivering flowers to the funeral home. Whenever you would see her out and about she was always friendly and smiling and happy to see ya. Thoughts and prayers are with you my friend."
In loving memory of
Hazel V. Mills
May 13, 2018
Hazel Virginia Mills finished her earthly life's journey and joyfully went to God, her Lord and Savior, and to join her beloved Sam on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 9:24 am in Sunset Home.
Hazel was born August 29, 1926 in LaGrange, Missouri, the daughter of Joseph Wade and Anna Gertrude Kixmiller Breding. She married Samuel Edward Mills on April 30, 1954 in South Seventh Street Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 22, 1999.
Hazel attended the Midway Rural School, a one room schoolhouse, in LaGrange, Missouri. In 1944, she graduated from LaGrange Pleasant Grove High School, and in 1947 she graduated as an R.N. from Blessing Hospital School of Nursing. Hazel was a nurse at the Quincy Clinic for Dr. James Henderson, Dr. Richard Meyer, and then for Dr. Robert C. Murphy, until her retirement in 1989. She worked part-time at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
She was a member of Union United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and the Quincy Church Women United. She was a member of the Sunset Home Auxiliary, the Salvation Army Auxiliary, and the Blessing Hospital Alumni. Hazel was a volunteer at Blessing Hospital, RSVP, Sunset Home, the Salvation Army, and for over 14 years at the Quincy Senior and Family Resource Center.
Hazel was a busy volunteer, and because of her dedication and love of people she was honored with numerous awards, including: Volunteer of the Year at Sunset Home (2002), WGEM & Quincy Herald Whig Jefferson Award for Public Service (2005), Illinois Governors Award for Unique Achievement (2008), induction into the Illinois Senior Hall of Fame (2008), Destroying the Myths of Aging (2009), Quincy Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award (2012), Blessing Alumna Nurse of the Year (2014), and KHQA Hometown Hero (2017).
Hazel enjoyed flowers, crocheting, reading, baking, shopping and especially socializing with friends. Hazel loved to feed birds, squirrels and raccoons at night.
Survivors include her very special family, Robert (Penny) Musolino of Quincy, IL, Prudy (Michael) Patterson of Quincy, IL, and Janet (Duane) Brammer of Hannibal, MO..
In addition to her husband, Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Velma Shumate, and a brother, Joseph H. Breding. She was the last of her family.
Services: 10:30 am on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Pastor Carol Stufflebeam officiating and a special tribute by the Nurse Honor Guard of Northeast Missouri.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, May 18, 2018 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorials: Quincy Senior Center, the Alzheimer's Association of Quincy or Blessing Hospice
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Hazel will be greatly missed. Her kind words and ready smile will always bring back fond memories. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family."
"Hazel was a very busy lady spreading sunshine to so many people, she could always find someone to visit with. It was always a joy to be in her company. We often met at Farm & Home when getting food for the birds. We both volunteered at Blessing after retiring. She will be missed. Your work on earth is done, you have finished your course. Blessing to family and friends. Clara Reddick"
"God bless Hazel as she has blessed so many of us! There is no doubt that our dear friend is receiving her eternal reward in heaven. Hazel is the mentor for all of us nurses. She could work circles around Us all. So many good memories working with her, Fritsy Barber, Marilyn Drebes, Mazie and too many others to mention at the old Quincy Clinic back in 1959 and on. Your smiling face and friendly voice is imprinted on the minds of many."
"I called her Haze. I am blessed to have known and worked with her at the Quincy Clinic. She is now with her beloved Sam."
"RIP Hazel. You were a gem on earth. May your star shine bright."
"I called her Haze. I am so fortunate to have known her and to have worked with her at the Quincy Clinic, God truly blessed me with her friendship."
"I met Hazel while she was 2400 volunteer nurse. She would sit with patients and comfort them.she was a hoot! She ALWAYS had a funny story to share. She was one SPUNKY lady and I would swear she could have worked circles around any floor nurse. I was blessed to have known her .I am happy she is with Sam as she talked about him regularly."
"A VERY SPECIAL LADY, I FELT PRIVILEGED TO HAVE KNOWN HER FOR OVER 50YRS. SHE DID SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE AND NEVER WITHOUT A SMILE. I ALWAYS FELT I WAS PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HER AS A FRIEND."
"Hazel was an icon at Quincy Clinic. Everyone loved her and she was a friend to all!!! Loved her so much. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was an example of what we should all be?"
"Hazel was a joy to anyone she came in contact with. Seems like yesterday when we had the family at Quincy Clinic. So many good memories of all the wonderful employees that worked so hard for that organization and the doctors all appreciated their efforts. I can still see her walk out to great Dr Murphy's patients with a smile!!!!!!!!!!!! She was a friend to all of us."
"Hazel is a sweetheart loved by everyone lucky enough to Have known her. I met Hazel through just one of her many volunteering at Blessing Hospital. You couldn't help admiring her love & admiration for so many people she cared for and visited daily. She will be missed by many. Love you Hazel."
"Hazel was a favorite co-worker at The Quincy Clinic. A truly caring and knowledgeable nurse, she gave her time to her patients and later continued her caring ways as a wonderful volunteer. She also took meals or treats to her retired friends, all while checking on them to make sure they were well. May we all carry her spirit with us. If only the world had more Hazels."
"Hazel was one of my Moms (Betty Wright) best friends. They worked together at the Quincy Clinic. She was so good to my Mom, especially in the months prior to her passing. I thought so much of Hazel, she said it how it was. She was a dear friend for so many years. You couldn't help but love her! She was loved by many and will be missed by many. Rest now Hazel, you earned it."
"Hazel was my nurse at the Quincy Clinic when I was a young girl! She was a lifetime friend to our family especially my mother, Mary Rose Prior! My family loved Hazel! She was a great friend who always made you smile and made you feel special! She will be dearly missed! Blessings to her and her extended family and friends! Love, Mary Jane (Prior) and Richard Doran and family"