Hazel Maurene Gearhart

Hazel Maurene Gearhart, 96, of Salem, departed this life on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. She was born in Catawba, a daughter of the late Kent and Ella Peery Crawford and had been an area resident all of her life. She was a long time member of Salem Pentecostal Holiness Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Huas T. Gearhart, who passed away in 1978, and by a brother, Oswald Crawford. She is survived by a son, Norris Gearhart and his wife Velda; a daughter, Rhonda Thurman and her husband Larry; three grandchildren, Michael Gearhart and his wife Daphne, Tim Gearhart, Laura Brunk and her husband Daniel; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Emmond and her husband Jake, and Thomas, Elizabeth and Chad Gearhart. She is also survived by four great-great grandchildren, Devan, Kendra and Caleb Brunk, and Autumn Emmond. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Medi Home Health and Hospice for all of the love and care they have received from them. Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Friday, June 7, 2013 at the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Pastor Ben Mewald will officiate. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8PM, Thursday at the funeral home. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.