Hazel Kathleen Matthews Van Meter, daughter of Elsie (Sheets) and Ralph Matthews, was born October 2, 1927, in rural Lincoln County, Kansas. She passed away on September 25, 2020, having reached the age of 92 years, 11 months, 23 days.
Hazel was united in marriage to James Edwin “Skinney” Van Meter on May 18, 1946, at the Ada Baptist Church. They lived all of their married life of 54 years on their farm north of Ada. Skinney passed away on May 26, 2002. Hazel continued living on their farm until her death.
Hazel was a tireless supporter of the Ada community, where she lived her entire adult life. She was very involved with the Ada School and the Ada Baptist Church, where she was a member, as well as the treasurer for many years. Hazel was especially proud of the Ada Museum, which contains memorabilia and pictures about the Ada community. She treasured her involvement with the Ada Alumni Reunion. Hazel made wedding and anniversary cakes for many nieces, nephews, school bus kids, and friends.
Before she was married, Hazel attended Kansas Wesleyan University for a year and taught school for a year. After her children started school, she went to cosmetology school in Salina and opened a beauty shop in Ada, which she ran for many years. Hazel subsequently became a school bus driver for USD 239 for more than 25 years. She was also a nurse’s aide and a home health care worker.
Hazel was preceded by her husband Skinney; daughter JoAnn; son David; grandson, Matt Picolet; brothers Jackie, Danny, and Glen; sister Twila; and parents Elsie and Ralph Matthews.
Survivors include daughter Jeri Van Meter (Trace Kriegh) of Minneapolis and son Russell (Jana) Van Meter of Ada; grandchildren Angela (David) Oppenheim of Minneapolis; Stephanie Teasley (Rick Longnecker) of Pottersville, Missouri; Benjamin (Kasindra) Van Meter of Salt Lake City, Utah; Joshua (Amanda) Van Meter of Gig Harbor, Washington; and Jessica Picolet of Tescott, Kansas; and great grandchildren Aiden and Ada Oppenheim, Kaylee and Johnna Picolet, and Samantha Van Meter. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ada Baptist Church, Ada, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2:00 to 6:00 at Wilson Family Funeral Home - the family will not be present. In place of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ada Baptist Church, Ada Community Building, and Ada Alumni Association.