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 Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Apr 1961 in Tilton, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
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. Hedge 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.
Clark (Near Homer).
Mr. and Mrs. George Hedges and daughter Grace of Fairmount and Edith Gritton of Danville took supper Friday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Rolla Yeazel.
The Urbana Daily Courier, Urbana, Illinois. Saturday, 26 August 1916, page 3.
member of Center Point Church
When Center Point Church closed and was sold, George F. Hedges, Cora B. Hedges, Rollie Yeazel and Sophia Yeazel united with the Catlin Church of Christ on 17 September 1946.
Name:
More information about Cora Belle Gritton's family at our Gritton site: https://hiltner.com/gritton/index.php
and Cora's individual page: https://hiltner.com/gritton/getperson.php?personID=I307&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78801438/cora-b-hedgesCora married George Fielden Hedges on 28 Jul 1892 in Vermilion County, Illinois. George (son of William Riley Hedges and Sarah Lavina Allen) was born on 27 Dec 1866 in Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky; died on 19 Feb 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 Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. - 3. Ralph Jewell Hedges was born on 27 May 1894 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Jun 1969 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 4. Grace Gertrude Hedges was born on 29 Oct 1895 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 May 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
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 Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in GAR Cemetery, Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Baptized at age 15 at Center Point Church during a revival meeting by Rev. F. DeGafferally on 10 September, 1908.
When Center Point Church closed and was sold, George F. Hedges, Cora B. Hedges, Rollie Yeazel and Sophia Yeazel united with the Catlin Church of Christ on 17 September 1946.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774647/sophia-c_-yeazelSophia married Chester "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 Baldwin Yeazel was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois.
3. 
Ralph Jewell Hedges (1.Cora1) was born on 27 May 1894 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Jun 1969 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
- Census: 1920, Prairie Township, Edgar County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1940, Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois
- Census: 1950, Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois
Notes:
World War II draft registration card describes Ralph as 5ft, 9in tall, 155 lb., flue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion.
1920 US census, enumerated 4 February 1920
Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois
Ralph Hedges, age 25, farmer
Eva, age 22
1930 US census, enumerated 14 April 1930
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Ralph J. Hedges, age 35, farmer, renting farm
Eva L., age 32
Donald R., age 8
1940 US census, enumerated 22 April 1940
Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois
Ralph Hedges, age 45, farmer, rented farm
Eva, age 42
Donald, age 18
1950 US census, enumerated
Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois
Ralph J. Hedges, age 55, farmer
Eva L., age 53
Ralph J. Hedges
Sidell – Ralph J. Hedges, 75, died at 5 p.m. Sunday (June 22, 1969) at his home in Sidell.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Honnold and Son Funeral Home in Sidell with Rev. S.M. Read officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Hedges was born May 27, 1894 in Fairmount, son of George F. and Cora Gritton Hedges. He married Eva Robinson Sept. 23, 1916 in Danville. He was a member of the Chrisman Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife; one son, Donald R. Hedges, Darien, Wis., two sisters, Mrs. Sophia Yeazel, Fairmount, and Mrs. Grace Fox, Fairmount; and two grandchildren.
News-Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. 23 June 1969
member of Center Point Church
Baptized at age 14 at Center Point Church during a revival meeting by Rev. F. DeGafferally on 16 September, 1908.
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 Chrisman, 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 29 Oct 1895 in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 May 1988 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
Clark (Near Homer).
Mr. and Mrs. George Hedges and daughter Grace of Fairmount and Edith Gritton of Danville took supper Friday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Rolla Yeazel.
The Urbana Daily Courier, Urbana, Illinois. Saturday, 26 August 1916, page 3.
member of Center Point Church
Baptized at Center Point Church on 27 October 1909.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88035339/grace-foxGrace married Willis Benton Fox on 10 Oct 1925 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Willis (son of Josiah Jermiah Fox and Ella Wann) was born on 12 Oct 1891 in Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Nov 1982 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 8. Marion Fielden Fox was born on 5 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.
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:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Baptized 18 March 1931
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105457778/harold-r-yeazel
Block 16Harold married Verniece Sylvester on 20 Aug 1940 in Kankankee County, Illinois. Verniece was born on 28 Nov 1918 in Illinois; died on 7 Jan 2015 in Gifford, Champaign County, Illinois; 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 Stewart. Mildred was born on 8 Nov 1922 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 8 Dec 2011 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Washington Park North Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
6. 
Howard Baldwin Yeazel (2.Sophia2, 1.Cora1) was born on 21 Nov 1920 in Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Aug 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
baptized at Homer, 25 April 1934
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774342/howard-b_-yeazelHoward married Betty Keller on 15 Nov 1942. Betty 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.
7. 
Donald Ralph Hedges (3.Ralph2, 1.Cora1) was born on 25 Jun 1921 in Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois; died on 26 Jun 1996 in Walworth County, Wisconsin; was buried in Mount Philip Cemetery, Clinton, Rock County, Wisconsin. Other Events:
- Census: 1950, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa
Notes:
In The 1950 census taken 4 April 1950, Waterloo, Iowa. They were in a large trailer park at 3015 Falls Avenue that held 58 trailers. Most of their trailer park neighbors were working in a tractor factory or in a meat packing factory. Almost everyone was married and several were families with children.
Hedges, Donald Ralph
Darien – Donald Ralph Hedges, age 75, of Darien, died Wed., June 26, 1996 at Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn, of natural causes. He was born June 25, 1921 in Edgar Co., IL, the son of Ralph Jewell Hedges and Eva Lee Robinson. Mr. Hedges was a WWII Army veteran serving in the European Theater, 2nd Platoon, 94th Cavalry, RCN. Sq. Mecz. He was a piper coverer with the Asbestos Workers Union Local 81, Cedar Rapids, IA.
He is survived by 2 daughters, Linda (Brian Ehringer) Hedges of Madison and Edan (William) Hiltner of Milwaukee; and 3 grandchildren: John, Elsa and Rhys.
Funeral services will be held Sat., June 29, 1996 at 11:00 a.m. at the Betzer Funeral Home with Rev. Sweetman officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in Mt. Philip Cemetery, Allens Grove, WI. Friends may call on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Janesville Gazette, Janesville, Wisconsin. Thursday, 27 June 1996, page 4.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49945188/donald-r_-hedgesDonald married Lucille Irene McKeown on 9 Oct 1943 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana, and was divorced in 1979. 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 on 5 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:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Joined Center Point Church on 13 October 1940 and was baptized at Catlin on 20 October 1940 by Cecil Smith.
Name:
More photos of Marion at his page on the Gritton site, along with links to his Gritton ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/gritton/getperson.php?personID=I4403&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, 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. Other Events:
- Religion: Center Point Church
Notes:
member of Center Point Church
Joined Center Point Church on 13 October 1940 and was baptized at Catlin on 20 October 1940 by Cecil Smith.
Name:
More photos of Joe at his page on the Gritton site, along with links to his Gritton ancestry.
https://hiltner.com/gritton/getperson.php?personID=I434&tree=tree1
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248411791/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)
H. Gene Yeazel
By The News-Gazette Mar 2, 2017
https://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/h-gene-yeazel/article_27b9c658-aa2c-58e2-8282-2ec7101c4ecb.html
SIDNEY – H. Gene Yeazel, 73, of Carmel, Ind., formerly of Sidney, passed away at 10:57 a.m. EST Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2017) at home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Sidney United Church, Sidney, with the Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, with military rites being accorded. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, is handling arrangements.
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, Ind.; they were married for 45 years; she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Adam Yeazel of Bloomington, Hans (JP) Yeazel of Bloomington and Lucas (Damari) Yeazel of Carmel; four grandchildren, Ashlyn and Emmy Yeazel and Aiden and Lillian Yeazel; a brother, Bob (Diane) Yeazel of St. Joseph; two stepbrothers, Kent (Linda) Krukewitt of Homer and Lynn (Kathy) Krukewitt of Texas; and a stepsister, Jo (Case) Mazic of Wisconsin. 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.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905
11. 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:
obituary from findagrave
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; 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 Merroitt on 13 Feb 1971 in Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois. 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]