Hazel Lucille Carlen, 91, of Taylorville, IL, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Taylorville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Taylorville. Hazel was born on August 26, 1933, in rural Greenup, IL, to the late Harold and Emma (Hays) Kemper. On May 25, 1950, she married Thomas Carlen Jr. in Greenup, IL, and they spent many happy years together before he preceded her in death on September 2, 1975.

She is survived by her children, E. Lucille (Thomas) Herman II of Taylorville, IL; Thomas (Shelley) Carlen of Taylorville, IL; Larry (Priszella) Carlen of Taylorville, IL; Rick (Denise) Carlen of Beecher, IL; Michael (Nanilyn) Carlen of Chatham, IL; Kevin (Debbie) Carlen of Shelbyville, IL; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; as well as her brothers, Leonard Kemper and Lowel Kemper both of Greenup, IL.

Hazel was preceded in death by her loving husband, one son, Billy Carlen, her sister Louise and brothers, Leroy, Francis, and Gene.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 11:00-12:00 Noon at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL. A funeral service will begin at noon with Pastor Dennis Metsker officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorials in Hazel’s honor may be made to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, to the VFW Post 4495, or to American Legion Post 72.

Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com.