Edward Hazlehurst Sr's Obituary
Edward Hazlehurst, Sr. was born December 31, 1922, and passed away at the age of 100 on April 30, 2023, at Hickory Point Christian Village. Edward was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Harry and Margaret (White) Hazlehurst. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Ann; brother, Harry Jr.; wife, Bobbie; son, William (Bill); and grandson, Justin.
Edward began college classes, but chose to end his college career in favor of enlisting in the Navy, where he trained to become a pilot. During his training, he chose to become a bomber pilot for the United States Marine Corps. achieving the rank of Marine Captain. He successfully flew seventy combat missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His accomplishments during the war resulted in the awarding of nine permanent citations: the Air Medal with six gold stars, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star. These medals were awarded for heroism and extraordinary and meritorious achievements in aerial flights.
While on leave from the war, Ed returned to Hazelcrest where he married Elizabeth (Bobbie) Hughes, his first high school sweetheart. They became the proud parents of three rambunctious boys: Ed, Jr., Bill, and Kim. Despite the best efforts of the boys, Ed and Bobbie went on to have Kathryn (Kit) and Harry. Ed and Bobbie were married for over forty years before Bobbie passed away in 1987. On October 4, 1989, Ed married Helen McLeod, another high school sweetheart.
Following his discharge from the Marines, Ed began working at Gary Steelworks, but soon after he moved on to begin his career in the automotive industry with a position at Brigance Chevrolet in Oak Park, Illinois. He worked his way up to Sales Manager before leaving to start his own dealership, Hazlehurst Ford, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 1965, he began construction of a new dealership in Melrose Park, Illinois. From there, Ed took his career to Decatur, Illinois, in 1967 with the purchase of what became Northtown Ford Inc., which he owned, and operated, until 2005.
Ed, known to his family as Large or Biggie Ed, was nothing short of a good time. He was always counted on for his sharp wit, and loved nothing more than to get his verbal jabs in on those who loved him. He was lovingly known for his orneriness and his love of cookies; he lived up to this reputation every minute of every day. Ed spent the little free time he had away from the dealership playing golf, skeet and trap shooting at the Decatur Gun Club, fishing, and hunting. He loved to take fishing and hunting trips, and these trips make up many of the fond memories of his children. Ed loved anything involving the outdoors and his dogs. He is well-known by the members of the Country Club of Decatur for plucking errant golf balls out of the creeks and ponds, which he displayed proudly on the walls of his basement as well as donated to the First T program for junior golfers at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. When his outdoor passions were no longer an option, he entertained himself by building birdhouses, and gifting them, frequently, to family members, charitable organizations, or anyone he could convince to take one.
Ed is survived, and greatly missed, by his wife, Helen; children Ed (Barb), Kim (Patty), Kit (David Ellison), and Harry; grandchildren Kelly (Andy Phillips), Shannon (Mike Muldowney), Matt (Jelena), Mike (Amy), Chris (Miranda Soucie), Nicole (Mike Adams), Kyle Dunn, Katie (Shaun Rhodes), Dani (Josh Lasley), Stephani (David Martin), Ryan (Lyz Peters), and Elizabeth (Zach Tibbs); and great-grandchildren Bill and Peyton Phillips; Riley and Charlie Rivero; Sydney and Charlie Hazlehurst; Ana and Aidan Hazlehurst; Addy Adams; Maddie and Maeson Rhodes; soon-to-be-born Vivienne Lasley; Jolie and Parker Witts; and Clara and Emilia Tibbs.
Moran and Goebel Funeral Home is providing cremation services for Edward. A memorial visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12pm to 2pm on Friday, May 12. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choosing. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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