Hazel Evelyn (Dillon) Underwood, age 90, took her first steps on the streets of gold Friday afternoon, June 9, 2023.
Hazel was born January 1, 1933 to the late John and Ollie (Cline) Dillon. As a child she was a member of the Perryton Church of Christ, where she met her future husband, Harrison. She graduated from Frazeysburg High School in 1951 and enrolled in the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, where Harrison was also a student. They married on April 19, 1952. Hazel invested her time in supporting her husband and raising their five children while Harrison finished school and began a preaching ministry that spanned 60 years. In 1961, Hazel began attending classes at night and in the summer to get her teaching degree, graduating from Ashland College (now Ashland University) in 1971. She taught for thirty years in schools in Ohio and Kentucky, teaching in elementary and junior high grades and later becoming a reading specialist.
Hazel was active in ministry in the churches Harrison served, teaching Sunday school, leading choirs, playing piano, leading congregational singing, singing solos and working with youth. She and Harrison pioneered Bible Bowl in Central Ohio, coaching a team that won state championships at the Ohio Teens for Christ convention in 1973 and 1974. At an invitational tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana, she and Harrison won the award for best sponsors. She and Harrison were married for 69 and 2/3 years until his death on December 1, 2021.
Five children were born to them, and they survive her: David (Robin), Delta, Ohio; Rebecca (David) Mahoney, Columbus, Ohio; Jonathan (Kathy), Cincinnati, Ohio; Daniel (Toni), Belize; Deborah, Marysville, Ohio. They also raised a grandson, Jared (Jami) of Bluffton, Ohio.
Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren; Tabitha (Steve) Nelson, Dayton; Joshua (Kiki) Underwood, Cleveland; Jeremy (Michelle) Underwood, Cleveland; David Mahoney, Dayton; Adam Mahoney, Philadelphia; Joel Underwood, Cincinnati; Tim Underwood, Cincinnati; Ben (Stephanie) Underwood, Cincinnati; Stephen Underwood, Great Falls, Montana; Jared (Jami) Underwood, Bluffton; Michael Styer, Panama City, Panama; Jason Styer, Marysville; and Julia Smith, Marion.
Also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren, which include Michal, Maddie, Ben, Bethany, Ellie, Jackson, Hadley, Brynlee, Morgan, Xavier, Josie, Maverick, Braxton, and Kazleigh; one sister, Sue Gardner and two brothers: John (Paula) and Larry (Linda); and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Satuday, June 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Church of Christ with David Underwood to officiate the service. Burial will be in Cannonsburg Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Friday, June 16, 2023, 4:00- 7:00 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Bluffton, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Barnabus Project in Belize.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
