Obituary of Hazel Mae Ralston

Hazel Mae Ralston, 97, of Niles passed away peacefully at her residence on Monday, October 17, 2022.

She was born on September 19, 1925 to the late Henry and Emma (Hayden) Oest, in Edwardsburg, Michigan.

On December 1, 1944, she married the late Charles Ralston and the couple celebrated sixty-four years of marriage, before his passing in 2009.

Hazel was a long-time member of the St. Pauls’ Lutheran Church in Niles. She was known for being fiercely independent and was even mowing and maintaining her yard until just a couple of years ago. Hazel enjoyed her dogs and was a groomer for many years however, her real passion was the love she had for her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; a great-grandson, Kenny; and her siblings, Herbert Oest, Gertrude Miller, Louise Schuelke, Helen Gygi, Bernice Clark, and Henry Oest.

Hazel is survived by her sons, John (Cheryl) Ralston of Niles, Jeffrey Ralston of Niles; five grandchildren, Becki Ralston, Jennifer (Josh) Thomas, Allison (Matt) Uselton, Aaron (Melissa) Ralston, David (Arianna) Ralston; five great-grandchildren, Kellie, Samantha, Isabella, Liam, and Owen along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. An interment will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made in Hazel’s memory to The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan located at 5400 S. Niles Road in St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.