Obituary of Hazel L. DeLisle

May 10, 1925 - May 20, 2024

Hazel L. DeLisle.  Age 99 of Wyandotte. 

After 99 years of life, Hazel went home to Jesus on May 20, 2024. She was born on May 10, 1925, to Fellie and Sherman Whitlock in England, Arkansas and was dearly loved by her grandmother, Florence Pangborn. When Hazel was 14, she and her mother, stepfather, Warren Sanderlin, and younger brother Charles (Bud) Whitlock, moved to the Detroit area where she attended school and later began waitressing at the Great Lakes Steel Mill cafeteria. Around that time she met the love of her life, Paul DeLisle. The story of their meeting is legendary. While out dancing with friends at a club in Ecorse, a cocky, handsome, young man presumed to take a seat at her table. She told him to “get lost.” At the same time, a man she admired from the mill, came up and said, “I see you met my brother, Paul.” She gave Paul a second chance and they married in Bryan, Ohio, on December 13, 1943, while Paul was home on leave. After the war, they moved to Wyandotte and raised nine children: Sharon, Paul, David, Fred, Marilyn, Butch, Robert, Elizabeth and Marissa. They were married for 57 years.

Hazel was baptized in the Holy Spirit on April 20, 1973, and her life took a profound turn. At the same time, Paul felt God calling him to leave his job of 27 years at BASF, to work full-time for the Lord. Even with three young children still at home, Hazel offered Paul her full support and soon they along with Fr. George Fortuna and a small group from St. Constance Catholic Church in Taylor, brought the Charismatic Renewal to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Wyandotte. Hundreds of people attended the Life in the Spirit seminars and their lives were forever changed as they, too, took the gifts of the Holy Spirit into the community, touching the lives of their families, friends, and coworkers.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Fellie and Warren C. Sanderlin; siblings Charles Whitlock and his wife, Doris, and Warren Sanderlin, Jr; her husband, Paul; three sons, Butch, David and Robert; two daughters-in-law, Judy and Marcia; and one grandchild, Davey.

She is survived by her sons, Paul (Deborah), of Carleton, and Fred (JoAnn) of Wyandotte; daughters, Sharon of Hawaii, Marilyn Strube (Joseph) of Reed City, Elizabeth Bowdler (Randy) of Southgate, and Marissa (Matt) of Ypsilanti; and daughter-in-law, Cathy; 30 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren at the last count! She is also survived by her brother, Fred (Joan) Sanderlin of Muskegon and sister-in-law, Marilyn Sanderlin of Temperance, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by neighbors, area waitresses, and those who knew her from St. Elizabeth Church and Faith in God Renewal Center.