Perry Hazelwood Jr.

TAMMS, Ill. -- Perry C. Hazelwood Jr., 85, of Tamms passed away at 10:17 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.

He was born Aug. 26, 1935, in Elco, Illinois, the son of Perry Clifford and Marguerite Randall Hazelwood Sr.

Perry proudly served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force on radar sites all over the world, during which time he attained the rank of senior master sergeant, before retiring in 1980. After retirement, he moved home to the farm on which he was born.

He attended Shawnee Community College and became an employee of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He retired from IDOT in 1998. Perry was a member of the Elco United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church of Tamms. Most importantly, he was a very proud grandparent.

He is survived by his wife, Carmela Hazelwood of Tamms; son, Perry C. (Cynthia) Hazelwood III of New Wells; daughter, Elizabeth Didriksen of Wheeling, West Virginia; grandchildren, Perry C. Hazelwood IV, Logan Didriksen, Mitchel Hazelwood and Donald Hazelwood; great-grandchildren, Perry C. Hazelwood V, Gavin Didriksen, Arlo Hazelwood, John Hazelwood and Charley Hazelwood; sisters, Emma Dell Bennett of Tamms; Jane Hamilton of Bonners Ferry, Indiana; and Sammy (Dennis) Thompson of Affton, Missouri; brother, Melvin (Joyce) Hazelwood of Fordyce, Arkansas; many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Due to the limitations on gatherings by the State of Illinois, visitation and services for Perry Hazelwood Jr., will be held at Crain Funeral Home, 829 N. West End Blvd., in Cape Girardeau. The visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Bob Kirby officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Mound City (Illinois) National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.