Hazel John-Thaxton, 91, formerly of Saint Marys, and a resident of The Gardens at Wapakoneta, died 10:15 P.M. Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at The Gardens at Wapakoneta.

She was born February 15, 1924, in Logan Twp, Auglaize County, Ohio, the daughter of Fred and Nellie (Richardson) Smith. She married Gale John on June 6, 1942, and he preceded her in death. She then married Henry "Hank" Thaxton on April 8, 1972, and he preceded her in death on May 17, 1999.

She is survived by her two children: Gale "Budgie" (Susan) John, Jr. of Buckland; Patty (Larry) Johns of Wapakoneta. She is survived by her five grandchildren: Elizabeth (Tim) Allison; Lonnie (Sandy) John; Jodie (Randy) Gibson; Jeff (Amy) Johns; Joel (April) Johns. She is survived by ten great-grandchildren and by three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Gale John, Sr; by her husband Hank Thaxton; by her parents and by her siblings Helen Tester, June Johnson, Emerson Smith, Howard Smith and Harold Smith.

Hazel was a 1942 graduate of Buckland High School, where she was a good athlete who played basketball and softball. She enjoyed many things in life, including playing the piano, putting puzzles together, eating ice cream and going to her bowling league. She was a member of the Buckland United Church of Christ. Her family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff of The Gardens at Wapakoneta for their great care.

Friends may call from 11:00 am until the time of services on Saturday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, St. Marys, where memorial gifts may be given to Putnam County Hospice.

Funeral rites will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, at the funeral home, the Reverend Adrian Sunday, officiant. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

Condolences may be sent to Hazel's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.