Hazel Baer

Hazel B. (Appel) Baer, 84, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away at home on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Born in Duffield, PA on September 23, 1938, she was the daughter of the late William Lester and Catherine (Mull) Appel.

She attended Duffield School and earned her GED June 1987. She attended Fetterhoff Chapel until the early 1980's when she converted to the Mennonite faith and joined Cedar Grove Mennonite Church. She was an active participant in the church Sewing Circle, knotting comforters for the Mennonite Central Committee that were sent around the world and distributed to the needy. Hazel also helped with the annual church bazaar. She volunteered her time for the annual meat canning at the Cumberland Valley Relief Center. She went to The House of Grace every Tuesday and taught crocheting. Hazel crocheted many afghans and baby blankets for fundraisers, family and friends over the years.

Hazel worked at the former Stanley Company; she was an egg inspector at Lesher's Poultry Farm; worked at a ceramic business in New Franklin; cleaned businesses for Service Master; and worked at a potpourri company in Shippensburg.

Hazel was a very caring person and volunteered her time to any organization or person in need. She enjoyed going on bus trips, attending Christian concerts, making hard candy and chocolates, and was best known for her fudge. She opened her home to foreign exchange students numerous times. For the last three years, Hazel helped to make various items for Operation Christmas Child.

Hazel is survived by her four daughters, Dora Petry (Scott) of Dixmont, ME, Rose Stockslager (Dave) of Chambersburg, PA, Donna Fell (Martin) of Bangor, ME, Julie Searles (Larry) of Greencastle, PA; two sons, Timothy G. Baer and companion, Robin MacDonald of Mercersburg, PA and Ryan Baer of Chambersburg, PA; four granddaughters, Allison Vorse (Erick), Jenna Fell, Haleigh Searles, and Hannah Searles and companion Collin Owens; three grandsons, Curtis Gembe and fiancé, Michaela Giles, Jonathan Fell (Zachary Black), and Landon Searles; two great-grandchildren, Brylee and River Vorse; a sister, Mary Catherine Jones; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, William “Bill” Appel and sisters, Mabel McPherson, Lois Stepler, and Janet Stone.

Services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in the Chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202 with Pastor Dennis Stutzman and Pastor Jim Fox officiating. Burial will follow in Fetterhoff Chapel Cemetery, Mont Alto, PA.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening in the funeral home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM as well as an hour prior to the service Wednesday morning.

Online condolences may be expressed at geiselfuneralhome.com.