PETERSBURG – Hazel Ellenia Redding Wakefield, 96, passed into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home.

She was born to Richard and Anna (Kincaid) Redding on February 13, 1927, in Mason, IL. She married Carl O. Wakefield on July 1, 1946 and he preceded her in death in 1997. She also was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Jim Holycross; five brothers, Richard Redding, Cecil Redding, Dwight Redding, John Redding and Larry Holycross; sister, Blanche Kester; son, Daniel Wakefield; grandson, Marty Bradshaw; granddaughters, Sara Wakefield and Kari Lynn Wakefield; and several great-great-grandchildren.

Hazel was previously employed as the head baker at Millikin University. She also had managed Wakefield Nursing Homes in Decatur and was a caregiver for the elderly. Hazel loved to bake and garden. She loved to tell jokes and always put her family first.

She is survived by her children, Joyce Bradshaw, Gloria (Keith) Dawkins, Richard (Debbie) Wakefield, Mary (Jeff) Segla and Steven Wakefield and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Hazel's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Pasfield Southern Baptist Church (411 W. Lenox, Springfield, IL) with Milton Bost and Joel Bradshaw officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Senior Services of Central Illinois at the Springfield Senior Center for the Meals on Wheels program (701 W. Mason St, Springfield, IL  62704) or to Sunny Acres Nursing Home for patient care support (19130 Sunny Acres Rd., Petersburg, IL  62675).