Hassel Dean Shondell

Hassel Dean (Dillport) Shondell crossed into the arms of Jesus on Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. Born to Caleb Sidney and Mary Susan (Kilcrease) Dillport on November 15, 1922 in Pocahontas, AR., she was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Shondell, Jr. of Napoleon, OH, her father and mother, two brothers - Mack Don and Caleb Sidney Dillport, two sisters - Majorie Pedersen and Erna Mae Saylors. She is survived by one sister, Regina Bachmann of Pocahontas, AR, two daughters - Jennifer (Thaine) Grams of Ida, MI, and Denise (Mark) Spencer of Defiance, OH, and a son Leo William (Kay) Shondell of Deshler, OH. Also surviving are seven grandchildren - Brett (Myrna) Grams, Jason (Kelli) Grams, Danielle Grams Westfall, Leo Shondell, and Jonathan, Susanna and Cale Spencer. Surviving in addition are five great grandchildren – Acadia, Dakota and Keaton Grams, and Alyssa and Gabriel Westfall. Hassey loved her Lord most importantly and lived to serve Him every day of her life. She met Leo on the Army bomber base in Walnut Ridge, AR where she was a secretary and he a member of the 69th Air Squadron. They married on May 2, 1943 and moved to his home town, Napoleon, OH. Hassey was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church for many years and most recently of Peace Lutheran Church in Defiance, OH. She worked beside her husband in the former Shondell Jewelers on Washington St. in Napoleon for forty years. Hassey loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, neighbors and just about everyone she met. She lived to serve God by serving others and did so with a selfless joy. Leo and Hassey served in the Gideons ministry where Hassey was also secretary of the Gideons International for three years. She founded the local chapter of Al Anon, a support group for families of alcoholics, in Defiance, OH, and gave her support to those families in the area who were dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Hassey never complained about anything but lived with gladness and thanksgiving. She was genuinely compassionate and caring toward others, and to the best of her ability lived at peace with all people. As her younger daughter, Denise, put it, "mom's idea of living was loving and giving." Quite a tribute. At 96, she was still happy to live in the same home she built with Leo in 1949. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Wednesday, April 17, from 11:00 AM until the time of services at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Gideon’s International or Peace Lutheran Church, Defiance. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com

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Hassel Dean Shondell

November 15, 1922 - April 14, 2019