Hazel Ruth Rummer (91) died Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, Illinois.  She was born August 10, 1925 in Staunton to the late Elizabeth & Charles Rummer.  She attended the Staunton Public School graduating with the class of 1943.  Hazel graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948 with degrees in microbiology & chemistry.  She joined Blue Line Chemical in St. louis after graduation and worked in the lab for 21 years.  In 1970 Hazel became Blue Line’s manufacturing manager & when the company was purchased by Glaxo Pharmaceutical in 1984 she moved to Zebulon, North Carolina at Research Triangle Park.  Hazel became the facility plant manager making her the highest ranking woman at Glaxo.  She retired in 1991 after 42 years of service and returned to Collinsville, IL where she made her home until she moved to the Meridian in Glen Carbon in 2012.  Hazel had a successful career in a highly competitive man’s world and was proud of that fact.

Hazel was a member of the American Society of Microbiologists and the Illinois & National Women’s Bowling Association.  She was an avid bowler and golfer in her younger years and travelled all over the United States bowling in tournaments.  She loved her friends at the KC’s in Collinsville and all of the many youngsters that she counseled at the Alley’s in Staunton.  She was baptized at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Staunton, IL where her parents were married.

Hazel is survived by her dear friend, Mary Mlinarich; a nephew, Reno Calcari & wife Kathy; niece, Judith Calcari; great nephews, Nathan & wife Stephanie Calcari, Lucas & wife Shae Calcari; great niece Meaghan Calcari Campbell & husband Michael; great great nieces Reagan, Brecken, Bella, & Mia Calcari; & several cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth & Charles Rummer; her sister Lucille Calcari; and brother-in-law Marion “Reno” Calcari.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 from 10 AM until time of service 12 noon at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton.  Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice Community Care, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Staunton, Staunton Education Foundation, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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