Hazel Witzel

Hazel Estelle McDonald Witzel, age 98, of Leroy, passed away Monday morning, July 24, 2006, at South Austin Medical Center in Austin. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West with Msgr. Isidore Rozycki officiating. Burial will follow at St. Martin's Cemetery near Tours. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Hazel was born December 3, 1907 in Collins, Mississippi, the fifth child of 13 born to Jacob and Beatrice (Eubanks) McDonald. She attended schools in Vista, Arnet and Gatesville and was a graduate of Gatesville High School. On June 25, 1941 she was united in marriage to George Edmond Witzel in San Diego, TX. He preceded her in death on June 10, 1973. In addition to her work as a homemaker, she owned and operated the Long Branch Caf in Leroy for several years. She also worked as a telephone operator, manager of a dairy store, manager of housekeeping for Baylor University, a printer for the City of Waco and a librarian for Ross Middle School, in the West Independent School District. She retired in 1981 but remained active in the community and politics. She served as Precinct 68 Chairperson for McLennan County Democratic Party and was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention. She was also a member of the Leroy Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tours. Hazel loved to collect rocks, buttons and post cards. She came to notoriety as the "Button Lady" after an article about her button collection was distributed through the Associated Press Newswire Service. She loved to share her experience in collecting and presented to various clubs and children's organizations. A son, Joseph Patrick Witzel, who died June 25, 1966, precedes her in death, as well as a grandson, Eldon Eugene Taylor. Survivors include her brother, DW McDonald and wife Edna of Evant; sister-in-law Vestal McDonald of Waco; one daughter Mary Martha Todd of Austin; three sons, Ramon Lee Taylor and wife Betty of San Antonio, George Jacob Witzel of Elm Mott and Robert James Witzel of Austin; nine grandchildren, Ernest Taylor and wife Billie, Laura Berger and husband Charles, Lynda Jaskina and husband James, Lisa Taylor, Amy Flanagan and husband Mark, Brandon Witzel and wife Nicole, Adrienne Witzel, Kristina Todd and Melanie Witzel; 13 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be James Jaskina, L.D. Hannes, Emmanuel Straten, Robert Ortiz, Jimmy Taylor and David McDonald. Memorials may be made to the Leroy Volunteer Fire Dept. and St. Martin's Catholic Church Building Fund.