Hazel Tickemyer

Hazel Vernita Roberson Tickemyer, 94, of Independence, MO died January 14, 2011. Hazel was born May 24, 1916, the fifth child of Ernest Roberson and Susannah Phillips Roberson, in Franklin County, Illinois at the home, a split log house. She married Garland E. Tickemyer in Kansas City, MO on March 6, 1936. Hazel attended Benton Township High School, accumulated college credits from various locations around the country, and completed a BA degree in English and Art at Central Missouri State University. Hazel was an accomplished pianist. Even at the age of two she could pick out a tune. She gave piano lessons as a teenager and has perfected this talent for everybody’s enjoyment even in her 90’s. Most recently she played regularly for the gatherings at the Groves Retirement Center. She was blessed with many talents. She enjoyed painting, ceramics and hat making. She also sang alto in the Independence Messiah Choir. Hazel assisted Garland in his church work with the Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS church) and authored Sunday school materials. Together, Hazel and Garland established a children’s camping program for the Church, which began in the late 1940’s. Hazel’s sister, Thelma Fugate traced the family ancestry back to the 10th and 11th centuries and discovered that Hazel is the 36th great grandchild of Scottish King Duncan. She is also a descendant of King Cole and two of her ancestors were signatories of the Magna Carta of 1215 for which she was honored as a “Dame of the Magna Carta”. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Garland E. Tickemyer; three sisters, Floy Bennett, Fern Parsons and Pansy Roberson. She is survived by her two sons, Garland Lee “Gary” Tickemyer of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and David Kent Tickemyer of Warrensburg, MO; three grandchildren, Kurt Garland Tickemyer, Krista Ann Tickemyer and Travis Kent Tickemyer; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Ammon Roberson and Ernest Roberson; and two sisters, Thelma Fugate and Maxine Bradley. A memorial service celebrating Hazel’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 24, preceded by a 1:00 p.m. visitation to be held at the Groves Community Center, 1515 W. White Oak, Independence, MO. Entombment will follow at the Mound Grove Mausoleum. Contributions may be made to the Stone Church Endowment Fund, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64050.