Cora Belle Gritton
1870 - 1961 (90 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Cora Belle Gritton was born on 28 Aug 1870 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 16 Apr 1961 in Tilton, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Friends gave her a surprise
(Press-Democrat Special.)
Fairmount, Ill., Sept. 2. - One of the most delightful entertainments of the season was the birthday surprise on Mrs. Geo. Hedges last Sunday, at her home northeast of the village. The event was planned and executed by her husband and daughters. While Mrs. Hedges was busily engaged in serving dinner to some friends who had accompanied her home from Sunday school and church, her friends to the number of seventy-five or more slipped into the front rooms of her home and came marching out to the dining room with her mother in the lead, which, by the way, was a great surprise, the latter having come out from Danville.
The afternoon was spent in a social and religious way. About 4 o'clock the crowd repaired to the front yard where some fifteen or twenty minutes was devoted to song and prayer, and the breaking of bread, which was presided over by Rev. Scott, of Danville, after which the remainder of the evening was spent in song, and social conversation, and the eating of cream, cake and candy and fruit, and a general good time was enjoyed by all. One singular feature connected with their gathering was that the hostess was surprised on her 18th birthday in 1888, in the same house where she now lives. Mrs. Hedges was the recipient of many beautiful pieces of china.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Mrs. Cora Hedge of Fairmount has been visiting the family of Frank Gritton on East Park street this week.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 27 May 1893, page 1.
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78801438/cora-b-hedgesCora married George Fielden Hedges on 15 Jun 1891 in Vermilion County, Illinois. George was born on 29 Dec 1856 in Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky; died on 19 Jan 1950 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 2. Sophia Cordella Hedges
was born on 10 Nov 1892 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Sep 1974 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. - 3. Ralph Jewell Hedges was born on 27 May 1894 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Jun 1969 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 4. Grace Gertrude Hedges was born on 28 Oct 1895 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 May 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 2. Sophia Cordella Hedges
Generation: 2
2. 
Sophia Cordella Hedges (1.Cora1) was born on 10 Nov 1892 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Sep 1974 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Notes:
Sophia C. Yeazel, 81, of Fairmount died at 10:24 a.m. Thursday (September 19, 1974) in Lake View Hospital, Danville, where she was admitted Wednesday night.
Mrs. Yeazel was born November 10, 1892, east of Jamaica, a daughter of George and Cora B. Gritton Hedges. She was married to C. Rollie Yeazel Oct. 15, 1915, in her parent's home.
Mrs. Yeazel leaves her husband, sons, Harold R. of Marion, Ind., and Howard B. of Catlin, three grandsons, one granddaughter, four great-grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Willis Fox of Fairmount. A brother preceded her in death.
Mrs. Yeazel spent all her life in the Fairmount-Homer area. She was a member of Catlin Church of Christ and in Berean Class.
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More photos of Sophie at her page on the Hedges site, along with links to her father's ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I92&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774647/sophia-c_-yeazel
Block 16, Lot 34, Space 2Sophia married Chester Rolla "Rollie" Yeazel on 24 Oct 1915 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois. Chester (son of Adam Wallace Yeazel and Sarah Amelia Cessna) was born on 11 Sep 1893 in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 21 Jun 1979 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 5. Harold Ralph Yeazel was born on 6 Mar 1918 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Nov 1988 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 18 Nov 1988 in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois.
- 6. Howard B. Yeazel was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 5. Harold Ralph Yeazel
3. 
Ralph Jewell Hedges (1.Cora1) was born on 27 May 1894 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Jun 1969 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1920, Paris, Edgar County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1940, Young America, Edgar County, Illinois
Notes:
1920 US census. Paris, Edgar County, Illinois Ralph Hedges, age 26, farmer, and Eva age 22.
1930 US census Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois. Ralph J. Hedges, age 35, farmer, Eva L. age 32, and Donald R. age 8. Farm is rented.
1940 US census. Young America, Edgar County, Illinois. Ralph Hedges, age 45, farmer, Eva age 42, and Donald age 18. Farm is rented.
Name:
More photos of Ralph on his page on the Hedges site along with his Hedges ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I94&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138310682/ralph-j-hedgesRalph married Eva Lee Robinson on 23 Sep 1916 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Eva was born on 1 Nov 1898 in Burning Springs, Clay County, Kentucky; died on 5 Nov 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 7. Donald Ralph Hedges was born on 25 Jun 1921 in Edgar County, Illinois; died on 26 Jun 1996 in Walworth County, Wisconsin; was buried in Mount Philip Cemetery, Clinton, Rock County, Wisconsin.
4. 
Grace Gertrude Hedges (1.Cora1) was born on 28 Oct 1895 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 May 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More photos of Grace at her page on the Hedges site, along with links to her father's ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I96&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88035339/grace-foxGrace married Willis Benton Fox on 10 Oct 1925 in Sidell, Vermilion County, Illinois. Willis (son of Josiah Jermiah Fox and Ella Wann) was born on 12 Oct 1891 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Nov 1982; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 8. Marion Fielden Fox was born in Jul 1925 in Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 13 Jan 2023 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; was buried in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek, Macon County, Illinois.
- 9. Joseph Benton Fox was born on 21 Jan 1929 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 31 Oct 2020 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 8. Marion Fielden Fox
Generation: 3
5. 
Harold Ralph Yeazel (2.Sophia2, 1.Cora1) was born on 6 Mar 1918 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Nov 1988 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 18 Nov 1988 in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: chiropractor
Notes:
Fairmount – Harold R. Yeazel, 70, of Marion, Ind., formerly of Fairmount, died at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 15, 1988) at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Indianapolis.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Carrington Funeral Home, Fairmount, the Rev. Ed Brown officiating. Burial will be in the GAR Cemetery, Homer. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. EST Saturday at the Social Brethren Church, Marion, Ind. Visitation will be from 6 to 8:30 tonight at the funeral home.
Mr. Yeazel was born March 6, 1918, near Fairmount, a son of Rollie and Sophia Hedges Yeazel. He married Verniece Sylvester in 1940. He later married Mildred Stewart. Survivors include two sons, H. Gene Yeazel of Sidney and Robert A. Yeazel of St. Joseph; six grandchildren; a brother, Howard Yeazel of Catlin; a niece; and a nephew. Mr. Yeazel farmed in the Fairmount area until 1954. He then operated a construction and drainage business. For the past 25 years he was a chiropractor at Marion, Ind. He was a member of the Social Brethren Church at Marion, Ind., the Moose Lodge and the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Association. Memorial contributions may be made to the GAR Cemetery Association or the Social Brethren Church of Marion Ind. (transcribed by Homer Historical Society)
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105457778/harold-r-yeazel
Block 16, Lot 34, Space 1Harold married Verniece Sylvester on 20 Aug 1940 in Kankakee County, Illinois, and was divorced before 1963. Verniece was born on 28 Nov 1918 in Illinois; died on 7 Jan 2015; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 10. Harold Gene Yeazel was born on 15 Apr 1943 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 28 Feb 2017 in Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois.
Family/Spouse: Mildred Faye Steward. Mildred was born on 8 Nov 1923 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 8 Dec 2011 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Washington Park East Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
6. 
Howard B. Yeazel (2.Sophia2, 1.Cora1) was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Howard B. Yeazel, 90, of Catlin passed away at 7:30 a.m. Monday (Aug. 29, 2011) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He was born Nov. 21, 1920 in Fairmount to Chester Rollie and Sophia Hedges Yeazel. He married Betty Keller Nov. 15, 1942. She passed away March 9, 1999. He was also preceded in death by one brother and one grandchild.
He is survived by one son, Kenneth L. (Sandy) Yeazel; one daughter, Donna L. (Ronald) Merriott; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
member of Center Point Church
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774342/howard-b_-yeazelFamily/Spouse: Betty L. Keller. Betty (daughter of Dallas Keller and Lola Witsman) was born on 7 May 1922 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 Mar 1999 in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 11. Donna Lea Yeazel was born on 1 Jan 1944 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 11 Sep 2018 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana.
- 11. Donna Lea Yeazel
7. 
Donald Ralph Hedges (3.Ralph2, 1.Cora1) was born on 25 Jun 1921 in Edgar County, Illinois; died on 26 Jun 1996 in Walworth County, Wisconsin; was buried in Mount Philip Cemetery, Clinton, Rock County, Wisconsin. Other Events:
- _MILT: World War II
Notes:
_MILT:
Name: Donald R Hedges
Birth Year: 1921
Race: White, citizen (White)
State of Residence: Illinois
County or City: Vermilion
Enlistment Date: 29 Sep 1942
Enlistment State: Illinois
Enlistment City: Chicago
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Semiskilled asbestos and insulation workers
Marital status: Single, without dependents
Height: 72
Weight: 166
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49945188/donald-r_-hedgesFamily/Spouse: Lucille Irene McKeown. Lucille was born on 19 Mar 1922 in Yarmouth, Des Moines County, Iowa; died on 30 Mar 2013 in Dousman, Waukesha County, Wisconsin; was buried in Darien Cemetery, Darien, Walworth County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
8. 
Marion Fielden Fox (4.Grace2, 1.Cora1) was born in Jul 1925 in Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 13 Jan 2023 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; was buried in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek, Macon County, Illinois. Other Events:
- _MILT: World War II. US Navy.
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More photos of Marion at his page on the Hedges site, along with links to his Hedges ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I5349&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248914734/marion-fieldon-foxFamily/Spouse: Jean Ray. Jean was born on 29 Jun 1926 in Saint Louis, Saint Louis County, Missouri; died on 8 Feb 2008 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois ; was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Family/Spouse: Sadie Rose Trim. Sadie was born on 12 Mar 1928 in Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi; died on 15 Sep 2021 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; was buried in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek, Macon County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. 
Joseph Benton Fox (4.Grace2, 1.Cora1) was born on 21 Jan 1929 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 31 Oct 2020 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Joseph Benton Fox, 91, of Danville, Illinois, passed away Saturday (Oct. 31, 2020) at home.
Joseph was born on Jan. 21, 1929 in Fairmount, Illinois, the son of Willis B. Fox and Grace Hedges Fox. He married Patricia Ann Dowers on July 10, 1954. She survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Diana (Bob) Kmetz of Edwardsville and Teresa (Mark) Steinbaugh of Bismarck, one brother, Marion Fox of Decatur; one sister, Marjorie Block of Sanford, North Carolina, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
member of Center Point Church
Name:
More photos of Joe at his page on the Hedges site, along with links to his Hedges grandfather's ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/hedges/getperson.php?personID=I5290&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/217981723/joseph-benton-fox
Generation: 4
10. Harold Gene Yeazel (5.Harold3, 2.Sophia2, 1.Cora1) was born on 15 Apr 1943 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 28 Feb 2017 in Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois. Notes:
H. Gene Yeazel, 73, of Carmel, Indiana, formerly of Sidney, passed away at 10:57 a.m. EST Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2017) at home.
Mr. Yeazel was born April 15, 1943 in Danville, a son to Harold and Verniece Sylvester Yeazel. He married Susan Collins on July 31, 1971 at Clarksville, Indiana. They were married for 45 years; she survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Adam Yeazel, Hans (JP) Yeazel and Lucas (Damari) Yeazel; four grandchildren; a brother, Bob (Diane) Yeazel; two stepbrothers, Kent (Linda) Krukewitt and Lynn (Kathy) Krukewitt and a stepsister, Jo (Case) Mazic.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Gene served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. He was an insurance producer for 31 years for Country Companies in the Homer/Sidney area. After retiring from insurance, he worked in real estate for six years. He was a member of Sidney Lion's Club and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Free Mason.
He loved taking long drives and traveling with his wife and children; he especially enjoyed San Belle Island in Florida. As a young man, he was a great trumpet player; he played taps at many Memorial Day celebrations and local military rites and also played in dance bands. He played football for Jamaica during the team's undefeated season in 1959.
News-Gazette, The (Champaign-Urbana, IL)
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176889745/h_-gene-yeazel11. Donna Lea Yeazel (6.Howard3, 2.Sophia2, 1.Cora1) was born on 1 Jan 1944 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 11 Sep 2018 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana. Notes:
Donna Lea Merriott passed away peacefully in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 11, 2018 at the age of 74. She was born on January 1, 1944 in Danville, Illinois to Howard and Betty (Keller) Yeazel.
She graduated from nursing school at Marion University in 1980. After moving to Indianapolis she began working for Community Hospital as a registered nurse, retiring in 1997. She was “ER Nurse of the Year” in 1985.
Donna is survived by: her son, Thomas (Christina) Merriott Christina; daughter, Ronna Lea (Christopher) Gordon , grandson: Christopher Alan Gordon, and brother: Kenneth (Sandy) Yeazel.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Ronald Alan Merriott, parents: Howard and Betty Yeazel, and nephew: Caleb Yeazel.
She was a Charter and active member of the Lebanon Christian Church, Eastern Star and Sagamore chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association).
Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 17 at the funeral home in Lebanon. Interment will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193070216/donna-lea-merriottDonna married Ronald Alan Merriott on 13 Feb 1971. Ronald was born on 25 Jan 1937 in Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana; died on 9 May 2013 in Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]