In Loving Memory and Joyful Celebration of Life

Hazel Arnell Walters

January 25, 1940 – June 27, 2026

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord." — Matthew 25:23

With grateful hearts and deep sadness, we celebrate the beautiful life of Hazel Arnell Walters, who peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 27, 2026, at the young age of 86. Surrounded by the love of her family, Hazel finished her earthly journey with the same faith, grace, and strength that had guided her throughout her life.

While our hearts grieve her absence, we rejoice in the assurance that she is now whole, healed, and forever at peace in the presence of her Savior.

Early Life and West Virginia Roots

Mom was born in Talcott, West Virginia, to the late Roy and Goldie Sears. One of twelve children, she grew up in the beautiful Appalachian mountains where she learned the values that would shape her life—faith in God, love of family, hard work, humility, and perseverance.

As one of the oldest children, Hazel lovingly helped care for many of her younger brothers and sisters. Her siblings affectionately called her "Do-Do," a childhood nickname that remained dear to her throughout her life.

She cherished telling stories about her childhood—swimming in the river, helping with gardening and canning, working beside her father on the hillside, walking the railroad tracks with her brothers, sitting on the hillside with her siblings and Uncle Fred, and laughing about the day she nearly went over the falls in a boat. Those memories remained among her greatest treasures.

In her later years, Mom proudly researched her family's history and discovered that her mother's family included descendants of the Mayflower. She was in the process of becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR, taking great pride in preserving her family's heritage.

Marriage and Family

Mom married our father, Densil "Denny" Walters, and were together for over fifty years in which they built a loving home in Indiana where they raised their four children.

Their home was always open. Family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers were welcomed with warmth, kindness, laughter, and a delicious meal. To know Hazel was to know unconditional love.

Affectionately known as "Nanny" or "Nan," she was truly the heart of her family. She had an awesome sense of humor and could really relate to anyone regardless of their age. She delighted in every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She faithfully cared for many of them throughout the years, offering encouragement, wisdom, comfort, and unwavering love.

Her family grew to include 35 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart. She also became "Nan" to countless bonus grandchildren and extended family members who lovingly adopted her as their own. She had a special place and relationship in her heart for each individual member of her family.

Career and Legacy

Mom's remarkable work ethic began in childhood while helping support her large family with her younger siblings and working in her and my dad’s second-hand store in Hinton, West Virginia.

She moved to Indiana in the late 1950’s where she raised her children then , she worked at Gemeinhardt before faithfully serving for twenty-five years at Selmer Music Company, balancing a full-time career while lovingly raising her family.

In 1975, alongside her husband and son, Hazel helped establish Walters Auto Sales, a family business built upon honesty, integrity, and service to others. The business remains a lasting testament to her dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to her family.

Even in retirement, Mom's heart for service remained steadfast. She found great joy in volunteering as a "Red Coat" at Elkhart General Hospital and remained a faithful pillar of her church community. Her spirit of adventure and compassion led her on a meaningful mission trip, and she took great pride in serving her community by working the polls at Jimtown Schools. Hazel was the ultimate cheerleader, never missing an opportunity to support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their many church and school events. She truly cherished the connections she made, whether cultivating lifelong friendships during her visits at USA Fitness at Concord Mall or warmly greeting neighbors at her highly anticipated annual garage sale.

A Woman of Faith

Hazel's Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life.

From childhood, she loved attending church, singing in the choir, and participating in church plays. She often smiled while recalling the time she portrayed an angel flying across the stage and how she once dreamed of becoming a famous singer.

She possessed an extraordinary gift for making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and loved. She never met a stranger and was always willing to stand beside those who were overlooked, hurting, or treated unfairly.

Hazel's life was marked by remarkable resilience. She courageously survived cancer twice and endured many additional health challenges with unwavering faith, courageous,and quiet dignity. Through every hardship, she trusted God's promises and looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day she would be reunited with her Savior.

One of Hazel's final wishes was that her family celebrate her homegoing—not only with tears, but with songs of praise, joyful memories, and even dancing—for she knew she would be rejoicing in Heaven with Jesus.

She was joyfully welcomed into Heaven by her parents, John and Goldie Sears; her beloved husband, Densil "Denny" Walters; her son, Bobby "Butch" Walters; her son Densil Walters Jr.; her grandson, Allen Roberts; her brother, Johnny Sears; two great-(great) grandchildren, and two additional brothers.

Those Left to Cherish Her Memory

Hazel is lovingly survived by her daughters:

Pamela Scearse- Walters of Mishawaka, Indiana

Jane Walters of Elkhart, Indiana

Lisa Thompson of Elkhart, Indiana

Her beloved grandchildren:

Shelia Durham, Bobby Walters Jr., Larry Walters, Mark Scearse, Lindsey Scearse, Courtney Irving, Nathaniel Thompson, Allen Roberts, Derek Roberts, Peyton Roberts, Dylan Thompson, Cole Thompson, and Adam Thompson.

Her cherished siblings:

Rose Bragg, Hallie Sims, Shirley Meadows, Bonnie Blevins, Darrell Sears, Jake Sears, Donna Sears, and Connie Clayton.

She also leaves behind a treasured legacy of 35 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives were blessed by knowing her.

In Honor of Mom's Wishes

Mom requested that this poem be shared as a reminder that her homegoing is not an ending but the beginning of eternal joy. May these words bring the same peace and hope that sustained her throughout her life.

Expressions of Gratitude

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Goshen Hospital, The Center for Hospice Care, and especially to her devoted caregivers—Tammy, Hazel, Amy, and Gracie—to pastor, Christopher Rowe of Apostolic Temple in South Bend, IN and the many other close family members whose compassion, kindness, and gentle care brought comfort and peace during Mom's final days.

Your love and dedication will never be forgotten.

Until We Meet Again

Though we will miss her deeply, we celebrate a life beautifully lived.

Mom taught us to love generously, work diligently, serve humbly, forgive freely, laugh often, and trust God completely.

Her legacy lives on in every life she touched, every act of kindness she inspired, every prayer she whispered, and every heart she loved.

We take comfort in knowing that the first words she heard upon entering Heaven were the words she faithfully lived her life to receive:

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord." — Matthew 25:23

Any donations can be made to the Center for Hospice.

The family is asking everyone to wear a shade of blue, her favorite color, and honor and memory of our beloved mother, Hazel Arnell Walters