Donna Lea Yeazel
1944 - 2018 (74 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Donna Lea Yeazel was born on 1 Jan 1944 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of Howard B. Yeazel and Betty L. Keller); died on 11 Sep 2018 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana. Notes:
Donna Lea Merriott passed away peacefully in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 11, 2018 at the age of 74. She was born on January 1, 1944 in Danville, Illinois to Howard and Betty (Keller) Yeazel.
She graduated from nursing school at Marion University in 1980. After moving to Indianapolis she began working for Community Hospital as a registered nurse, retiring in 1997. She was “ER Nurse of the Year” in 1985.
Donna is survived by: her son, Thomas (Christina) Merriott Christina; daughter, Ronna Lea (Christopher) Gordon , grandson: Christopher Alan Gordon, and brother: Kenneth (Sandy) Yeazel.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Ronald Alan Merriott, parents: Howard and Betty Yeazel, and nephew: Caleb Yeazel.
She was a Charter and active member of the Lebanon Christian Church, Eastern Star and Sagamore chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association).
Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 17 at the funeral home in Lebanon. Interment will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193070216/donna-lea-merriottDonna married Ronald Alan Merriott on 13 Feb 1971. Ronald was born on 25 Jan 1937 in Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana; died on 9 May 2013 in Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
2. 
Howard B. Yeazel was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Chester Rolla "Rollie" Yeazel and Sophia Cordella Hedges); died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Howard B. Yeazel, 90, of Catlin passed away at 7:30 a.m. Monday (Aug. 29, 2011) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He was born Nov. 21, 1920 in Fairmount to Chester Rollie and Sophia Hedges Yeazel. He married Betty Keller Nov. 15, 1942. She passed away March 9, 1999. He was also preceded in death by one brother and one grandchild.
He is survived by one son, Kenneth L. (Sandy) Yeazel; one daughter, Donna L. (Ronald) Merriott; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774342/howard-b_-yeazelHoward married Betty L. Keller. Betty (daughter of Dallas Keller and Lola Witsman) was born on 7 May 1922 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 Mar 1999 in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. 
Betty L. Keller was born on 7 May 1922 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of Dallas Keller and Lola Witsman); died on 9 Mar 1999 in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774501/betty-l_-yeazelChildren:
- 1. Donna Lea Yeazel was born on 1 Jan 1944 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 11 Sep 2018 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana.
Generation: 3
4. 
Chester Rolla "Rollie" Yeazel was born on 11 Sep 1893 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois (son of Adam Wallace Yeazel and Sarah Amelia Cessna); died on 21 Jun 1979 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1920, Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1940, Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
1920 US census. Household members: C.R. Yeazel, age 26, farmer. Sophia age 27, and Harold age 1. Farm is rented.
1930 US census. Household members: Chester R. Yeazel age 36, farmer, Sophia C. age 37, Harold R. age 12, and Howard B. age 9. Farm is rented.
1940 US census. Household members: C. R. Yeazel age 46, farmer, Sophia age 47, Harold age 22, farmer, and Howard age 19, student,. Farm is rented.
note on Find a Grave:
Chester "Rollie" Yeazel was born to Adam and Sarah Yeazel in Homer. In 1915, he married Sophia Cordella Hedges in Fairmount, and they had two sons: Howard and Harold Yeazel. Rollie and Sophia lived in the Center Point area for 27 years, starting in 1918 and were members of the Center Point Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School superintendent. They moved to Fairmount on March 6, 1945 and he entered public office in 1949, serving as Fairmount Mayor until 1968, including a short time in the early 1960s when he initially didn't seek re-election, but was asked to return after the winning candidate stepped down shortly after election. Improvements under Rollie Yeazel to the town of Fairmount included the installation of the water system and water treatment plant in 1951 at a cost of $135,000 that was raised through municipal and revenue bonds, new signals and gates for the railroad crossing and natural gas that was pumped in from the Sidell area. After he stepped out of public office, he took up the hobby of caning furniture.
Contributor: LISA DAVIS (50366112)
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774585/chester-r_-yeazel
Block 16, Lot 34, Space 3Chester married Sophia Cordella Hedges on 24 Oct 1915 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois. Sophia (daughter of George Fielden Hedges and Cora Belle Gritton) was born on 10 Nov 1892 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Sep 1974 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. 
Sophia Cordella Hedges was born on 10 Nov 1892 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of George Fielden Hedges and Cora Belle Gritton); died on 19 Sep 1974 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Notes:
Sophia C. Yeazel, 81, of Fairmount died at 10:24 a.m. Thursday (September 19, 1974) in Lake View Hospital, Danville, where she was admitted Wednesday night.
Mrs. Yeazel was born November 10, 1892, east of Jamaica, a daughter of George and Cora B. Gritton Hedges. She was married to C. Rollie Yeazel Oct. 15, 1915, in her parent's home.
Mrs. Yeazel leaves her husband, sons, Harold R. of Marion, Ind., and Howard B. of Catlin, three grandsons, one granddaughter, four great-grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Willis Fox of Fairmount. A brother preceded her in death.
Mrs. Yeazel spent all her life in the Fairmount-Homer area. She was a member of Catlin Church of Christ and in Berean Class.
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More photos of Sophie at her page on the Hedges site, along with links to her father's ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I92&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774647/sophia-c_-yeazel
Block 16, Lot 34, Space 2Children:
- Harold Ralph Yeazel was born on 6 Mar 1918 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Nov 1988 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 18 Nov 1988 in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- 2. Howard B. Yeazel was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois.
6. Dallas Keller was born on 17 Nov 1893 in Covington, Fountain County, Indiana; died on 1 Jan 1965; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: carpenter
- Census: 1920, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93346100/dallas-kellerDallas married Lola Witsman on 23 Mar 1913 in Silverwood, Fountain County, Indiana. Lola was born on 3 Oct 1893 in Indiana; died on 9 Mar 1982; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Lola Witsman was born on 3 Oct 1893 in Indiana; died on 9 Mar 1982; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93345737/lola-kellerChildren:
- 3. Betty L. Keller was born on 7 May 1922 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 Mar 1999 in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 4
8. 
Adam Wallace Yeazel was born on 20 Dec 1851 in Champaign County, Illinois (son of Adam Yeazel and Maria Crabill); died on 10 Mar 1942 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried on 12 Mar 1942 in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1880, Vance Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1900, Ogden, Champaign County, Illinois
- Census: 1910, Ogden, Champaign County, Illinois
- Census: 1920, South Homer Township, Champaign County, Illinois
Notes:
IN the 1880 US census Adam Wallace Yeazel , age 28, is head of household which includes his wife, Sarah, age 22, and two childrne ages 2 and 6 months.
In the 1900 US census, Adam Wallace Yeazel, age 48, is head of household which includes his wife, Sarah, age 44, and six children ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old. He is a farmer who works on rented land.
In the 1910 US census Adam, age 58, is head of household which includes his wife Sarah, age 54, and three children ages 14 and 16.
In the 1920 US census Adam, age 68, and Sarah, age 63, are living at 301 West Frist Street in South Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
In the 1930 US census Adam, age 78, and Sarah, age 74, are living at 301 West First Street in Homer.
In the 1940 US census Adam, age 88, and Sarah, age 65, are still at 301 West First Street in Homer.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85194334/adam-wallace-yeazel
Block 11, Lot 21, Space 2Adam married Sarah Amelia Cessna on 4 Jul 1877 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Sarah (daughter of William Cessna and Sarah Jane Hawkins) was born on 11 Feb 1856 in Stark County, Ohio; died on 1 Sep 1953 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. 
Sarah Amelia Cessna was born on 11 Feb 1856 in Stark County, Ohio (daughter of William Cessna and Sarah Jane Hawkins); died on 1 Sep 1953 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85194408/sarah-amelia-yeazel
Block 11, Lot 21, Space 1Notes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 187501876-1877. Page 58. No record of anyone signing for bride or groom. Adam Yeazel, age 25, is from Homer [Champaign County, Illinois]. Sarah Cessna, age 21, is from Vance Township [Vermilion County, Illinois].Children:
- Nellie M. Yeazel was born on 29 Mar 1878 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 31 Aug 1976 in Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Zella Myrtle Yeazel was born on 16 Dec 1879 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 21 Feb 1972 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Troy Garfield Yeazel was born on 13 Aug 1882 in Illinois; died in Feb 1970 in Calhoun County, Iowa.
- Sigel Morton Yeazel was born on 10 Aug 1884 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 24 Apr 1948 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Mable Ellen Yeazel was born on 11 Feb 1887 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 19 Dec 1982 in Normal, McLean County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Bertha Mary Yeazel was born on 16 Dec 1889 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 13 Sep 1988 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- 4. Chester Rolla "Rollie" Yeazel was born on 11 Sep 1893 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 21 Jun 1979 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Ada Blanche Yeazel was born on 28 Oct 1895 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 19 Jun 1975 in Newman, Douglas County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
10. George Fielden Hedges was born on 29 Dec 1856 in Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky; died on 19 Jan 1950 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1900, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1910, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1920, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1940, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
1900 US census, Household members: George F. Hedges, age 33, farmer; Cora D. age 29; Sophia C.. age 7, Ralph J. age 6, Grace G age 4, and farm laborer Lewis O. Cox age 22. Farm is rented.
1910 US census. Household members: George Hedges age 43, farmer; Cora age 38, Sophia age 17, Ralph age 15, and Grace age 14. Farm is rented.
1920 US census, Household members: George F. Hedges, age 53, farmer; Cora B. age 49, and Grace G. age 24. Farm is rented.
1930 US census. Household members: George F. Hedges age 63, farmer. and Cora B. age 59. Farm is owned.
1940 US census. Household members: George Hedges, age 73, farmer, and Cora, age 69. Farm is owned. Value of home $2,500.
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More information about George Fielden Hedges's family at our Hedges family site: https://hiltner.com/hedges/index.php
and his individual page: https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I82&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78801478/george-f-hedgesGeorge married Cora Belle Gritton on 15 Jun 1891 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Cora (daughter of John Franklin Gritton and Sarah Catherine Cline) was born on 28 Aug 1870 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 16 Apr 1961 in Tilton, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. 
Cora Belle Gritton was born on 28 Aug 1870 in Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of John Franklin Gritton and Sarah Catherine Cline); died on 16 Apr 1961 in Tilton, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Friends gave her a surprise
(Press-Democrat Special.)
Fairmount, Ill., Sept. 2. - One of the most delightful entertainments of the season was the birthday surprise on Mrs. Geo. Hedges last Sunday, at her home northeast of the village. The event was planned and executed by her husband and daughters. While Mrs. Hedges was busily engaged in serving dinner to some friends who had accompanied her home from Sunday school and church, her friends to the number of seventy-five or more slipped into the front rooms of her home and came marching out to the dining room with her mother in the lead, which, by the way, was a great surprise, the latter having come out from Danville.
The afternoon was spent in a social and religious way. About 4 o'clock the crowd repaired to the front yard where some fifteen or twenty minutes was devoted to song and prayer, and the breaking of bread, which was presided over by Rev. Scott, of Danville, after which the remainder of the evening was spent in song, and social conversation, and the eating of cream, cake and candy and fruit, and a general good time was enjoyed by all. One singular feature connected with their gathering was that the hostess was surprised on her 18th birthday in 1888, in the same house where she now lives. Mrs. Hedges was the recipient of many beautiful pieces of china.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Mrs. Cora Hedge of Fairmount has been visiting the family of Frank Gritton on East Park street this week.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 27 May 1893, page 1.
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78801438/cora-b-hedgesChildren:
- 5. Sophia Cordella Hedges was born on 10 Nov 1892 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Sep 1974 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- Ralph Jewell Hedges was born on 27 May 1894 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Jun 1969 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Grace Gertrude Hedges was born on 28 Oct 1895 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 May 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.