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Dolly Hyzer

September 8, 1928 - October 28, 2014
Portage, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, October 30, 2014
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Portage Location
5975 Lovers Lane
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 344-5600
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, October 31, 2014
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Portage Location
5975 Lovers Lane
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 344-5600
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

YWCA of Kalamazoo
353 East Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Web Site

Charity of Choice

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

VanderSalm's Flipse
1120 S. Burdick
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(800) 232-7134
Driving Directions
Web Site

Wedel's Nursery Florist & Garden Center
5020 Texas Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-1195
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

Dolly May Hyzer was a loving and caring woman who was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was generous and loyal, strong willed and even feisty. Such character traits saw her through the most challenging times and the sweetest joys of life.

Dolly was born September 8, 1928 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the only child of Samuel and Beulah (Sellers) Childress. The nation had come through war and was regaining industrial strength, yet the economic depression that closed out the decade also shaped the character of its citizens with resilience and determination. Sadly, Dolly lost her mother at an early age. She then lived with her Aunt Lottie in Virginia before returning to Michigan to stay with other aunts and uncles. After staying in a series of foster homes, Dolly moved in with foster parents Jess and Belle Tracy where she attended Richland schools. There she came to appreciate the value of hard work and the gift of family. She later started her own family and dedicated her life to providing that sense of family and belonging she had sought as a child. To the pride of her children she completed her GED through Comstock schools after they were grown.

Dolly enjoyed reading, cooking, and gardening, she cared for her beloved cats, rooted for the Detroit Tigers and worked crossword puzzles. As a fan of Big Band music, it was understandable that she also liked to dance. The diversity of her interests made life interesting.

For many years, Dolly worked as a sales clerk for Zayre’s Department Store and especially liked her fellow employees. Several of them became lifetime friends and, even after retirement, she still went to lunch with some of them who were very special to her.

Dolly was a single mother of five children when she was introduced to Preston Hyzer by mutual friends. Their own friendship grew into love and commitment and they married on May 20, 1978. The two of them liked bowling together, spending time at their place in Leroy, Michigan and traveling to Las Vegas, Cancun and Jamaica in retirement. When they bought a condo in Lake Worth, Florida near West Palm Beach, the two of them hosted card parties that included Dolly’s good cooking which Preston enjoyed every day.

Wherever she went, Dolly’s favorite place on earth was her home. There she received her large family of children and grandchildren and, especially during the holidays, she welcomed the cheer and good fun that they brought. They will miss her and remember the joy she brought to their lives.

Dolly May Hyzer of Portage, Michigan passed away on Tuesday October 28, 2014 at the age of 86. Dolly is survived by her five children: Lynn (Paula) Fisher, of Portage; Katherine Fisher, of Oregon; Susan (Dave) Krusik, of Dimondale; Jeff (Vicky Conklin) Fisher, of Comstock; Debbie (Marc) Overton, of Paw Paw; three stepchildren: Judy Crawford, of CA; Carol Hyzer, of Grayling; James Hyzer, of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren: Sarah (GR) Bentley, Ann (Scott) Doederlein, Helen Tichelaar, Kelly (Jerry) Hill, Kerry (Lourdes) Crawford, Trisha Fisher, Maggie May Overton; ten great grandchildren; one sister-in-law: Lois Lessard, of FL. She is preceded in death by Preston in 2005.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM, Life Story Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage (269-344-5600). The funeral will be on Friday at 1 PM at the same location.

Please visit Dolly’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, sign the guestbook, share a memory and/or photos. Those who wish may make contributions to the YWCA of Kalamazoo and/or charity of choice.

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