Richard (Dick) Hazel

Richard “Dick” Leo Hazel, 72, of Millington, MI went to be with the Lord surrounded by his family on March 20, 2018.

Richard was born in Flint, MI on April 2, 1945 to Albert & Annabelle Hazel of North Lake. Richard attended Millington Community Schools where he was the president of his graduating class of 1963. He attended Flint Junior College and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital before being drafted into the Army in 1965 where he served in the Vietnam War until 1967. Richard was a decorated veteran of the United States Army earning the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantrymen Badge and the highly honored, Distinguished Service Cross. Richard worked at Fisher Body and Buick City until his retirement, when his true love of spending time with his family and grandchildren began. Dick never missed a sporting event or performance of any of his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy. He could always be spotted in the stands at any Millington sporting event and was a lifelong “Cardinal”. Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He also devoted much of his life to the American Legion Post 164 and attending and organizing Army reunions throughout the United States. Since his retirement, Dick and his wife, Debbie have enjoyed traveling the world together.

Dick is survived by his wife Debra of 39 years, daughter Kim (Rick) Watkins, and grandchildren Logan, Lauryn and Lennox Watkins, daughter Katie (Shawn) Watts, and grandchildren Zachery, Jake, Brookelyn and Maxson Finatri, Brynnlee Watts, Brooke (Watts) and Chris Forystek, Bryce Watts and fiancée Kaelee Peterson, many extended family and friends. Dick was a loving husband, Dad, Papa and friend to all. Richard was preceded in death by his mother and father, Annabelle and Albert Hazel and in-laws Gene and Monica Lewis.

The family will receive friends at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington, MI on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and for a brief time Sunday from 1:00 pm until the services begins. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millington, MI. The burial will follow at Watertown Township Cemetery in Fostoria, MI.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made towards the college education fund for his much beloved grandchildren. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

HANLIN FUNERAL HOME

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