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Obituary for Elwin Charles Hazen
Elwin Charles Hazen, 79, of Lapeer (formerly of Mayville) died on Sunday, October 25, 2015 with his wife by his side after a lengthy illness.
Elwin was the sixth of thirteen children born to Roy and Loretta (Mercer) Hazen on July 12, 1936 in Sandusky, MI. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Sandusky High School in 1955. Elwin entered the Air Force in 1957 and served his country in Korea after the war. Following his military service, Elwin studied at Fairwood Bible Institute in Dublin, New Hampshire where he met and married his bride, Paulette Lois Street. They were married on October 3, 1965.
Elwin and his family returned to Michigan in 1979 where he served as the pastor of Great Lakes Bible Church in Mayville for 23 years. During his tenure as pastor and following his retirement, Elwin also served as the chaplain in both Tuscola and Lapeer County jails through the Forgotten Man Ministries for 28 years. Elwin had a passion for reaching the “lost and the least” and he often used his memorable one-liner jokes and comedic timing as an icebreaker in establishing relationships with his parishioners, the inmates he served, and those he encountered in his daily life. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, and ability to connect with people to bring a message of hope through the gospel of Jesus in some of life’s most difficult circumstances. Elwin lived his faith and served his God consistently to the end of his life.
Elwin is survived by his beloved wife and caretaker, Paulette; children, Julie (Jim) Lafontaine of Essex, MA, Charlie (Ruth) Hazen of Spring Arbor, and Janelle (Jeff) Jackson of Lapeer; eight grandchildren, Jayna and Jared Lafontaine, Ethan and Jenna Hazen and Andrew, Julia, Kathryn, and David Jackson; three sisters and four brothers; also many nieces, nephews, in-laws and special friends.
Elwin was preceded in death by his parents, infant siblings Betty Jean and Dale, and brothers Abner, Donald, and Kenneth.
Memorial contributions may be made to Forgotten Man Ministries at 3940 Fruit Ridge Ave, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Visitation will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Capstick Chapel on Friday, October 30th from 12-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Lynch & Sons with the family receiving visitors one hour prior to the service. Pastor Mike Hollenbeck will be officiating. Military honors performed by the auspices of American Legion Lapeer Post #16.
