Hazel Marie Collins

Hazel Marie Collins, 89, of Battle Creek, Michigan

Hazel went on to eternal life to be with her lord and savior Jesus Christ on September 16, 2026 at home.

Hazel spent a lifetime and career helping people, especially children. Hazel's career started at Battle Creek Public Schools Media Department in 1957 after graduating from Battle Creek Central in 1955. Hazel retired in 1997.

Hazel loved gardening, mowing the lawn, and many projects at home. She usually had the best-looking yard in the neighborhood.

When at home, Hazel loved spending time with family. She loved spending time with nieces and nephews, as teaching children brought her joy. After retirement, Hazel began homeschooling family. She enjoyed teaching her adopted son Brandon Panczyk, Ashley Panczyk and many others. She was like a second Mom to her sister Reba's kids: Debbie (John) Lauck, Jerry Panczyk, Laura Fields and Beth (Chad) Quartermaine. All four are surviving.

She is survived by sisters, Reba (Jerry) Panczyk and Nancy (Mike) White; nieces and nephews: Shaun Collins, Connie Collins, Lori Collins, Angela Collins, Christina Collins (Hudson), David White, Betty Jo Collins, Laura Dowdle, Tina Collins, Henry Eric Allen Brummels (Wood), and Bobby Collins, Jr. and Sharon White.

Hazel was preceded in death by her father, James Henry Collins (1967), and her mother Maude Mary Collins (1996); sisters: Mable Fay Collins (1944) Kathy Brummels (2008), Betty Scroggins (2010), Rose Mary Collins (2018); brothers: Bobby Dean Collins (1990), Eugles Collins (1997), Jimmie Davis Collins (2017), and Carl Luther Collins (2018).

Hazel’s family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home, where a service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00. Interment will follow at Hicks Cemetery. Personal messages for her family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.