Hazel Esther Noll Degitz

HAZEL E. NOLL DEGITZ, 97, of Fort Wayne, passed away, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Born on Sept. 20, 1919 in Fort Wayne, she was a daughter of the late Johanna Adler Noll and Ralph Noll. She was a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, attending Irwin Elementary, Smart School, and graduating from South Side High School in 1937. In June of 1942, under the pretense of seeing "the love of her life" before he was shipped out to Hawaii, she traveled by train to Louisiana where he was stationed. During that weekend, on June 1, Hazel and Marvin got married without telling anyone at home. She returned to Fort Wayne and continued working at Fisher Brothers Paper Company until her husband was discharged from the U.S. Army. Raising her family was her next endeavor, deciding to return to the workforce after her youngest child was in school full time. She retired from Fort Wayne Community Schools after 15 years of service as secretary at Riverside Elementary. Her greatest legacy was her love of serving Christ, first at Immanuel Baptist Church and later at Blackhawk Ministries and her love and dedication to her family. Christ was first, husband and family second, and herself last. "If we ever needed help with anything she would put aside whatever she was doing and help us. She was a wonderful example for us". Left behind to cherish her memory are daughters, Kathy (Jim) McDowell, Diane (Mike) Carpenter, Marilyn (Dave) Knuth; son-in-law, Jack Van Til; beloved grandchildren, Kristi (Mike) Miller, Kim (Jack) Schmidt, Michelle (Russ) Gilmore, Holly (Matt) Mitchell, Russ (Amber) Van Til, Katelyn (Dan) Ferrier and Kelsey Knuth; precious great-grandchildren who gave her many happy moments, Isabelle, Matt, Elisabeth, Megan, Grace, James, Preston, Hope, Delia, Hudson, Catherine, Deacon; and lifelong friend, Iona Shuler Richhart. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin Degitz; precious daughter, Jan Van Til; special sister, Betty DeHaven and parents. "The family would like to thank the incredible staff and care givers at Golden Years Homestead for their kindness, compassion and love that they show to the residents every day". Service is 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at D. O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 at the funeral home. Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne, Ind. Preferred memorials to Golden Years Homestead Garman Employee Benevolent Fund.