Hazel Loretta (Peters) Yaple

Hazel Yaple (Peters) Born on May 20, 1946 in Nanticoke Pennsylvania, passed
peacefully into the loving arms of the lord on July 3, 2025 surrounded by her family.
She was named after her father’s sister Hazel and her grandmother’s sister Loretta.
She was known by many names: Nanny, Sis, Mom, Aunt Hazel, or Hazel.
Hazel leaves behind a legacy of caretaking, nurturing, compassion, and love. Her
selfless acts of kindness and compassion touched everyone around her. Her will to
help others went beyond compare.

Hazel is survived by her husband Francis with whom she shared 62 years of marriage,
her sister Tammi McDonald (Mark Miller) of Gladwin Michigan, her children Edward
Yaple of Oxford PA, Kelly Quigley (James) of Lebanon PA, Penny DeFrank (Kevin) of
Oxford PA, her grandchildren Mercedes Lavender (Ryan Solek), Justin DeFrank
(Kelsey), Kirsten DeFrank (David O’Connor), Francis Quigley (Emily O’Connor), Jamie
Heisey (Todd), and Trey Yaple, her great grandchildren Rosalynn Lavender and Beau
Heisey and numerous nieces and nephews. Also survived by her sister-in-law Judy Yaple that loved her like a sister. 

Growing up Hazel lived in many places, but it was always in the country. In 1965,
Hazel and Francis moved from Benton Pennsylvania down to Delaware for Francis to
work at Chrysler. They later moved from Delaware to Nottingham and then to Oxford.
Besides being a hands-on mother, Hazel had a strong work ethic. She felt if you were
going do a job, you should always do the best job you could (nothing less). She worked
at a sewing factory in Oxford for many years until it shut down. She then worked at
Herr’s factory doing many jobs for more than 20 years until her retirement.

Taking information from a book Hazel was writing to her children:
“ I liked to travel. I loved to cruise on ships. I liked to go to beautiful gardens.
I liked to ride on our motorcycle. I enjoy sewing, for me it is like a walk in the
park. I have enjoyed family and friends. In the fall I liked to go to see Grammy
Kittle for her birthday Oct 9, as the foliage was beautiful in the mountains. I like
nature’s beauty.
I also enjoy amusement parks and the thrill rides with my grandchildren. The
Tilt-a-whirl is one of my favorite rides. “

Those who knew Hazel remember she lived her life with a purpose to help others. To
make sure you were ok. She would go without if she felt someone else needed it.

She was preceded in death by her parents George Arthur and Martha A. Peters and her
sister Dorthy Schwefringhaus.

Relatives and Friends may visit Wednesday July 9, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at
Ruffenach Family Funeral Home 224 Penn Ave, Oxford, PA 19363 with a service to
follow.
Interment will be in Jonestown Cemetery (Ridge Rd, Orangeville, PA 17859)
Grave side service to be held Friday July 11 at 1pm.

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