Hazel M. (Colgan) Sumwalt Brett, 88, a resident of Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community in Franklin, IN passed away Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin, IN. She was born May 18, 1929 in Franklin County, Indiana to Lawrence T. Colgan and Anna Bell (Hamm) Colgan. She married Reverend Donald E. Sumwalt on January 1, 1949, he preceded her in death on July 25, 1985. She then married Reverend Leland L. Brett on July 28, 2001 in Franklin, IN, he preceded her in death on September 21, 2015.
She was a 1947 graduate of Springfield High School in Franklin County, IN and attended Indiana Central College now known as the University of Indianapolis. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IN. She had been a social worker for Triniteam Caregivers in Chippewa County, Wisconsin in 1988 where she retired in 1994 but continued as a volunteer. She also had worked and volunteered at “Zion-Care” at Zion United Methodist Church. She had been a member and former president of the Evangelism Committee, United Methodist Women, North West District Lay Leader, and Pastor-Parish Committee of her district. She also volunteered in the Hospice programs and the AARP Widowed Persons Service all in the Chippewa County, Wisconsin area.
Survivors include her three sons, Samuel G. Sumwalt (Cheryl Lacey Sumwalt) of Covington, LA, Thomas E. Sumwalt (Eileen) of Mims, FL, and James A. Sumwalt (Margaret Zahn) of Singapore; grandchildren Thomas Anthony Sumwalt of Las Vegas, NV, Samantha Lyn Stevenson, DVM (Nathan) of Cincinnati, OH, Carol Anne Olman (Justin) of Maumee, OH; step-grandchildren Erin Wolfson, Andrew Wolfson (Allison) and Ashley Petersen; great-grandchildren Amber Rose Boyett, Evelyn Grace Boyett, Josie Olman, Zachary Nathan Stevenson, Hannah Grace Stevenson, Logan Timothy Stevenson, and Aiden Joseph Stevenson; and five step-great-grandchildren; two stepsons Kenton F. Brett (Perian) of Indianapolis, IN and Kelvin Brett of Evansville, IN; five step- grandchildren Lauren Brett, Emma Brett, Cassandra Brett, Dakota Brett, and Nathan Brett.
The Reverends Jenothy Rather and Andy Kinsey will conduct a memorial service on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 1:30PM at the Wright Chapel of the Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community, 1070 West Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN with a reception immediately following. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community, 1070 West Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN, 46131; Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 East Adams Street, Franklin, IN 46131; or Lake Lucerne Camp West, 6460 County Road YY, Neshkoro, WI, 54960. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.