Hazel Utley, a longtime resident of McAlester passed away on December 16, 2021, in Edmond, OK at the age of 97.    She was the wife of Leo Utley, marrying December 8, 1945, and sharing almost 68 years together until his death in 2013.

Hazel was born March 22, 1924, to Fines and Nettie Sturgeon in Checotah, OK.    She was the fifth of eleven children and considered a second mother to some of her younger siblings   This family of six boys and five girls grew up during difficult times working on the farm during the depression and World War II years.   They depended on one another and were a close-knit family.

Her first husband, Elmo Henderson, died in World War II, leaving her a widow at age twenty-one with a young son.    She married Jack Utley and settled in McAlester where they raised three sons and had a wonderful family life.   She was a homemaker in every way and loved having visitors in her home, hosting family and friends for every occasion.    Her brownies, cookies and cakes were always a hit.

Hazel was a member of the Main & Oklahoma Church of Christ for more than sixty years.    The dear friendships she made here lasted her lifetime.   She was active in the ladies programs, weekly Bible class and visitation.  She was a VBS and Bible school teacher for many years working mostly with the fifth and sixth grade classes.

Her hobbies were sewing and crochet.   Never one to waste time, while watching TV at night she would crochet baby caps, blankets and booties for gifts.   During her time as a volunteer pink-lady with the hospital she helped crochet baby caps for all the newborn babies.   This talent made her a natural for electronic assembly work when she started to work in 1963.   She spent over twenty-five years with Rockwell International where she excelled and retired as the lead inspector in quality control.

She is survived by her son:  Jim Utley and wife Sandy of Sherman, TX, daughters-in-law: Lori Henderson of Arlington, TX, and Debbie Utley of Edmond, OK, brother:  Wayne Sturgeon of Tahlequah, OK, sisters:  Faye Cunningham of Adamson OK, and Patsy Mayes, of Leonard, TX, grandchildren:  George Henderson, Mark Henderson, Randy Henderson, Jim Utley, Jerry Utley and Karyn Johnson.    Also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Hazel was preceded in death by husbands, Elmo Henderson and Leo Jack Utley, sons:  George Henderson and Robert Utley, great-grandson: Weston Utley, parents:  Fines and Nettie Sturgeon, brothers:  Joe Sturgeon, Fines Sturgeon, Everett Sturgeon, Bonnie Sturgeon, Lonnie Sturgeon, and sisters:  Helen Pope and Lois Gould.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brumley-Mills Funeral Home of McAlester. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Main & Oklahoma Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery.