October 4, 2007 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

From our readers

Fred Keebler

Fred Keebler, 84, a glazier for Willet Studios in Chestnut Hill for 40 years, died Sept. 26 at his home in North Wales.

Mr. Keebler, formerly of Roxborough, was a World War II veteran, and a member of the American Legion.

Mr. Keebler is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dot Fields Keebler; daughters Kathleen Hart, Frieda Ambrose and Chris Samarco; six grandchldren and seven great-grandchildren. A son, Freddy Keebler III, preceded him in death.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Sept. 29 at St. Mary of The Assumption Church in Manayunk and interment was at the Calvary Cemetery.

Bettyann Hazell and Helen Hamilton

Two sisters who grew up in Erdenheim died Aug. 25 of injuries they received when the car in which they were travelling from New Haven, Conn., to their home in Chester, Vt., was rear-ended by another vehicle in Hartford, Conn.

Bettyann Hamilton Hazell, 75, and her sister, Helen “Snooker” Hamilton, 67, both nurses, were raised in Erdenheim and graduated from Springfield High School.

Mrs. Hazell graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College and a master’s degree from New York University.

She had worked at many hospitals in the country, most recently at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townsend, Vt.

She is survived by two daughters, Anne Keenan of Ambler and Nancie Hazell of Chester, Vt., and three grandchildren. Her husband, Charles Hazell, died in 1994.

Ms. Hamilton worked for 30 years as a school nurse at Seabury Hall in Maui, Hawaii. She later worked as a nurse practitioner for Vermont Academy and as a substitute at schools in the Chester, Vt., area.

She was an avid tennis player, gardener and quilter.

A memorial service for both women will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Hazell can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice, and for Ms. Hamilton, to Seabury Hall School, 480 Olinda Rd., Makawao, Maui, HI 96768.

John W. Gurney

John W. Gurney, 41, of Wyndmoor, died suddenly on Sept. 29.

Mr. Gurney is survived by his partner, Kerry D. Bird and his parents Donald and Barbara Gurney of Reinbeck, La.; two sisters and a brother.

Mr. Gurney worked for 19 years at Merck & Co.

A memorial service was held Oct. 2 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation, Attn: John W. Gurney Scholarship Memorial Fund, 205 Commons, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0282.