James S. Hazelette

James S. Hazelette, 96, of Bedford died peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Colonial Courtyard. He had been a resident there for the past three months.

He was born on January 8, 1926, son of the late Mose and Ada (Ritchey) Hazelette. On January 1, 1947 he was united in marriage to Freda (Peach) Baker. They celebrated 56 years of marriage before her death on July 26, 2003.

James is survived by daughter- Linda wife of Dent Mortimer of Bedford; daughter- Sandy wife of Gary Fochtman of Bedford; sister- Martha Fransen of Bellevue, NE.; grandchildren, J.D. Mortimer husband of Tracey Smyers of Bedford; Marty Mortimer husband of Angela Marble of Rockford, MI.; Sherry wife of Randy Rase of Frostburg, MD.; and Shelly wife of Doug Rice of Hollidaysburg; seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his four brothers, Clyde, Olin, Bobby, and Fred; five sisters, Allene Schnably, Edna Schnably, Charlotte Davis, Flossie Stollings, and Nancy Tiller.

When he was sixteen, he wanted to quit school but his mother said he only could if he found a job and stayed with it. He went to work at the Bedford Gazette and remained there for 46 years. He kept his word to his mother.

His life tragically changed in July 1985 when his beloved wife Peach suffered a massive stroke. For 18 years he became her soul caregiver 24/7, giving up his job and his love of golfing to be with her. For the last 12 years of his life, he shared a special relationship with Verna Turner and her three children, Karen, Gary, and Don and their families.

He was a member of the Wolfsburg United Methodist Church and the Bedford Elks Club. He played ball for the Wolfsburg Ball Team for many years. He had a passion for playing golf, teaching his son-in-law's, grandchildren and great grandchildren the tricks of the sport. He also enjoyed hunting, woodworking in his basement, and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steeler fan. But the real love of his life was his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

There aren't adequate words to describe how much he will be missed but he left his family with so many happy, memorable times spent together. He was a man of very few words but one of the wisest men we will ever know. He was always willing to listen and help in any way possible.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the amazing caregivers from Colonial Courtyard and Grane Hospice who helped our dad and us through the last months of his life.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, 6th of July, 2022 from 10 AM to 1 PM at Louis Geisel Funeral Home, Bedford.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 1 PM at Louis Geisel Funeral Home with Pastor Beth Pyles officiating. Interment will be at Ritchey Cemetery, Everett, PA.

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.geiselfuneral.com/. Arrangements entrusted to Louis Geisel Funeral Home, Bedford, Pennsylvania.