Spencerville;         Hazel Margaret Cochran, 91, of Spencerville passed away at 7:33 a.m. on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at home with family by her side.

Hazel was born on September 28, 1932 in Lima, OH to the late Henry and Bertha (Gordon) Caskey. She grew up around the Lima area and attended Perry High School. She started her career early in life as a cigar maker/finisher at R.G. Dunn Cigar Factory and worked there 25 years, before leaving in 1967 to raise her children. The cigar factory was where she had met the love of her life, the late Byron J. Cochran. They were united in marriage on June 15, 1956 and together they had five children. Once the kids were out of the house, Hazel volunteered her time as a teachers aid at the school in Spencerville.

Hazel was a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church and enjoyed reading, sewing, & her cats. She was a big advocate of animal shelter and always had rescued/adopted pets.

Hazel is survived by her three children, Sandy (James) Griffo of Elida, Michael Joseph Cochran of Fayetteville, NC and Susan Margaret (James) Patterson of Elida; one son-in-law, James Hyitt of Convoy; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Higbie, James (Kayte) Griffo, Joe Griffo, Jenny (Bob) Burke, Jill (Zac) Miller, Jay (Amy) Hyitt, Nick Wolford, and Benjamin Cochran; ten great grandchildren; special friends, Shay & Mackenzie Williams; and her beloved cat, Lucy. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Byron; two children, William Henry "Bill" Cochran & Sharon Rose Hyitt; grandson, Rusty Hyitt; and six siblings, Helen Bartram, Robert Caskey, Henry Casky, Charlene Johnson, Edward Caskey, and Mary Marshall.

There will be a visitation from 12:00-1:00 p.m. followed by her memorial service at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Pastor Andrew J. Atkins officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Allentown Cemetery. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Hazel and her family. In memory of Hazel, preferred memorial may be given to the Auglaize County Humane Society.