Hazel Irene Hiles April 26, 1915 - March 19, 2019

Hazel Irene Hiles, age 103 , resident of Ft. Madison, IA and past resident of La Plata, MO, passed away March 19, 2019.

Hazel was born April 26, 1915 at home on a farm southwest of Cardy, MO. She was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” (Riggins) Lene. She was the youngest of 11 children and is the last one to have survived until this period of time. On September 8, 1934 she was married to William O. Hiles in Elmer, MO Oval preceded her in death on May 22, 1966.

She was also preceded in death by her son, Billy Joe, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. Also preceding her in death are several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is survived by one daughter, Betty C. Tucker of Ft. Madison, Iowa; one son, O. Dean Hiles and his wife, Judy of Riverdale, IA; one daughter-in-law, Janice Hiles of Kansas City, KS; eight grandchildren; Tammy Hiles of Overland Park, KS, Faron Hiles and his wife, Alicia of Raymore, MO, KS, Kevin Hiles of Kansas City, KS, Lisa (Hiles) Hilt of Overland Park, KS, Bill Burchett and wife, Dena of Donnelson, IA, Scott Burchett and his wife, Cari of Burlington, IA, Brian Hiles and his wife, Julie of Bloomington, IL, and Hilary (Hiles) Martinez and her husband, Fidel of Bettendorf, IA; fourteen great-grandchildren: Amanda Hiles, Eric Hiles, Spencer Hiles, Zack Hiles, Brandon Hilt, Brittany Hilt, Gage Burchett, Brandt Burchett, Cael Burchett, Tanner Burchett, Alyssa Burchett, William Hiles, John Hiles and Julian Martinez; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved companion, “Wee Man”.

Hazel was raised in the Cardy and Elmer, MO area attending school until finishing the eighth grade when she was needed at home to help with household and farm chores. Upon her marriage to Oval they moved to a farm around Murry, MO. She and her husband enjoyed visiting with friends and dancing. She was known to be able to do a great Charleston even later in her life. Her first two children were born at home. The family then moved to “the home place “north and east of Elmer, MO. Their third child was the only one to be born in a hospital, Grim-Smith in Kirksville, MO.

Hazel and Oval worked hard farming and raising their family. Hazel was a great cook and enjoyed having family and friends at her home to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She spent many hours in her kitchen, canning and preserving much of what they produced on the farm. She was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed decorating her home and was quite the seamstress who could and did fashion most of the clothing her family wore after seeing a dress or shirt in a store. She spent many years quilting and learned how to crochet at the age of 90.

Hazel and Oval planned on traveling after the children were graduated and away from home, but that plan was not meant to be, as Oval passed away 3 days after their last child graduated from high school.

Hazel worked at McGraw-Edison in Kirksville, MO. after her husband died then worked in dietary at KOH Hospital in Kirksville, MO. She retired in 1976. In 1979, she moved off her farm and came to La Plata, MO where she lived in Biggs Trailer Court until her move to Ft. Madison to live with her daughter in 2008. In 2018 she moved to “The Madison” Nursing Home in Ft. Madison.

Hazel lived a life of faith and was a member of the Elmer Baptist Church then the La Plata Baptist Church. Hazel also belonged to the Siefert Club in La Plata. Hazel loved her family and friends very much and enjoyed being around them as much as possible. She will be missed greatly by her family and all those she knew.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the La Plata Baptist Church with the family receiving friends from 10:00 AM until time of service. Interment will be in the Elmer Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Memorials may be made in her memory of Hazel to the La Plata Baptist Church or Elmer Cemetery Association and may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.