Hazel M Eberle, 96, of Defiance, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, Friday evening, March 1, 2013.

She was born April 15, 1916 and was the daughter of Theodore and Amelia (Fangman) Richardson.

On July 18, 1937 she married Charles L. "Bud" Eberle and he preceded her in death October 31, 2001.

Hazel is survived by a son Phil (Mandy) Eberle, daughter Jodi Eberle all of Defiance, four grandchildren; Jason (Andrea) Crowell of Raleigh, NC., Jenni Saner of Defiance, Nick (Brandi) Eberle of Defiance, Jon Crowell of Santa Ana, CA. and seven great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her aunt and uncle Jay and Jesse Richardson, who raised her, two brothers; Norman and Edwin Richardson, her sister Linda Geiger and a great grandson Brady Crowell.

Hazel grew up in Custar and was first in her class at Milton Twp. High School. She worked as a clerk for JCPenney and the Sears catalogue center prior to being the payroll clerk for the Defiance City Schools. Hazel retired in 1978. She was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Hazel was active in the Jesse/Ruth Circle and the Maranatha Sunday school class and she taught Sunday school. She enjoyed her animals, reading, cooking, traveling, especially to the cottage at Big Long Lake. But most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 3 to 8pm in the Hanenkrath-Clevenger-Schaffer Funeral Home.

Funeral service for Hazel will be Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 11:00am in the funeral home with Pastor Joe Graves officiating.

Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

Memorial contributions may be made to CHP Defiance Hospice or Trinity United Methodist Church.