Hazel Waterman's Obituary
Hazel Margaret Waterman, 94, of Eldridge, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 8th, 2010, at 10:30 p.m., in room 108 at St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri. Hazel was born June 14th, 1915, on a farm at Mountain Creek, near Eldridge, Missouri. Hazel was the first born of John Thomas Young and Gracie Grimes Young. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Delmar Young; her husband, Rev. Virgil Waterman; her daughter, Margaret Ann Waterman, her son, the Rev. Gene Waterman; and her son-in-law, Rev. Clifford Canon. Hazel married Virgil Waterman on April 14th, 1932. To this marriage was born five sons and three daughters. Hazel was a very devoted wife and mother. Hazel was very supportive in Virgil’s ministry. Hazel was saved at an early age at Eldridge church, on this same night she was filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues. Just a few months ago, Hazel said that Sophie Waterman was a big influence to her by taking her under her wing, helping with clothes and being a church buddy to her. Her salvation was the first and foremost thing on her mind at all times and was very quick to let anyone know it that would listen. Everyone that knew Hazel knew how strong her faith was in the Lord. Hazel’s favorite thing to do was to go to church. Hazel’s second favorite thing was to go to church, and her third favorite thing was going to church. Hazel had at least 84 years of serving our Lord Jesus Christ and led a very clean life. Hazel was a devoted member of Living Water Pentecostal Church in Lebanon, Missouri. Hazel was a strong influence on all her family and her legacy will live on. If Hazel had a hobby it would have to be flowers. Hazel loved having flowers around her both inside and outside, she never had enough. As much as Hazel liked her flowers she also liked her mail order catalogs, most of her purchases was for her family. When Hazel watched television, her favorite programming was the Christian stations. Hazel knew what a hard life was. Hazel got married in the Great Depression and raised a family on a very small income, and most of the time with no money at all. Hazel said many times that it was her prayer and faith that got her through the tough times. Hazel never had it easy. A prayer of Hazel’s a few months ago was that she didn’t want to out live any more of her children. It is believed that this prayer is what kept her son, Ronald, from beating her to the Hufft Cemetery. Hazel never got over losing her daughter, Margaret, at such a young age, and she was only 59 when her husband, Virgil, passed away, and the passing of her son, Rev. Gene Waterman, was another major blow to her. Hazel never once blamed God for her losses, it just made her become stronger in her faith and prayers. In the 94 years, four months, and 25 days, she saw many changes in the world. To name a few, the Great Depression, the dropping of the first nuclear bomb, walking on the moon, many wars, and many natural disasters, many inventions, great and small, to the high tech world we live in today. Hazel did have a cell phone for a few months, and didn’t like it, when it came to talking on a regular phone, that was a different story; this was a hobby that we forget to mention. During the last year of Hazel’s life, her health would not permit her to stay at home by herself, so Derek Wildhagen volunteered to live with her and keep an eye on her. As the months went by, this turned into a full time job. Derek’s first observation was that Hazel was very bossy and liked to micromanage. When Derek started going to church with Hazel she began to call Derek her grandson, she talked him into singing specials at church. Derek and Hazel spent numerous hours preaching to and at each other. Derek now started calling Hazel “Grandma” and referred to himself as her adopted grandson. In the time that Derek cared for Hazel, he showed great respect, reverence, and treated her with dignity. Derek cooked all the meals, Hazel’s favorite meals were pork steak, mashed potatoes/gravy and hamburger helper, chicken strips, hamburgers and fried potatoes. Even though these were some of her favorites her biggest pleasure was cornbread and milk. Hazel Margaret Waterman is survived by her sisters, Vurlis Jones, Lois Mott, Joyce Burns, and Mary June Riggs. Hazel is also survived by four sons and two daughters, David Waterman, and his wife, Evelyn, of Sleeper, Missouri, Joel Lee Waterman, and his wife, Ellen, of North Glen, Colorado, Virgie Ada Canon, of Branch, Missouri, Rev. Charles Waterman, and his wife, Theresa, of Eldridge, Missouri, Gloria Schultz, and her husband, Terry, of St. Charles, Missouri, Ronald Waterman, and his wife, Linness, of Eldridge, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Betty Waterman, wife of Gene Waterman, of Lebanon, Missouri; and adopted grandson, Derek Wildhagen, of the home. Also surviving: 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and friends and neighbors. A great prayer warrior is no longer with us, but awaits our arrival in heaven with our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 13, 2010 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Hufft Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday evening 7-8:30 p.m. under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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