Hazel Floy Funnell

Hazel Funnell, 99, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, MO, on Friday, October 26, 2012.
Hazel Floy Sell was born on a farm near Powersville, MO, on October 17, 1913, the daughter of Charles Ernest and Maude Alda (McKee) Sell, who preceded her in death. She attended Unionville High School and graduated in 1931, also receiving her 1st grade teaching certificate. She then began a teaching career that spanned 37 years, most of which was spent in seven different one-room country schools in Putnam County.
Hazel married William R. “Bill” Funnell in Kirksville, MO, on October 12, 1940, and he passed away on November 12, 1985. Hazel and Bill moved to a farm north of Unionville after Bill was discharged from the army. Hazel continued her teaching profession in the country schools until the mid-1960’s when the schools were consolidated. She then taught in the Unionville School system beginning in 1969 until retirement. However, she continued as a substitute teacher for a number of years. In 2008 she was recognized by the Missouri conference of school administrators as a “Pioneer in Education.” Hazel and Bill retired from the farm in 1979 and moved to Unionville.
Hazel was active in many civic and church organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, the Douglas Extension Club, the retired teachers association, and the Unionville United Methodist Church. She was state president of the Missouri Extension Council in 1962 and 1963 and served for a number of years as the chairman of the fancy works department at the Putnam County Fair. She enjoyed quilting, teaching Sunday School, sewing, and tending to her beautiful flower gardens. Hazel played a key role in writing and compiling “The History of Rural Schools of Putnam County, 1843-1965.” Mrs. Funnell lived a gracious, dignified and patriotic life and influenced hundreds of students, friends, and family members.
Hazel is survived by a sister, Evelyn Ruth Ray and her husband Jack of West Richland, WA, and a sister-in-law, Mary Sell of Unionville, MO. Surviving nieces and nephews are Larry Sell and wife Lillian, Mary Alice Gran and husband Brad, Mike Ford, and Herb Ford.
Others who preceded Hazel in death were brothers Donald Sell and Bernis Sell and sister Mildred Genevieve Sell.
Funeral services for Hazel Funnell will be at 11:00 am at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Unionville United Methodist Church, the Putnam County Care Center or the Putnam County 4-H Building fund and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.