Melvin L. Hazelwood

Melvin L. Hazelwood, age 78, of Fordyce, Arkansas, formerly of Tamms, Illinois, passed away Monday, August 22, 2022 at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Melvin was born June 20, 1944 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Perry Clifford Hazelwood, Sr. and Sadie Marguerite Randall Wade. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy, on May 15, 2003. He then married Joyce (McHarry) on September 4, 2004 and she survives. He is also preceded in death by one brother, Perry Hazelwood, Jr. and one sister, Jane Hamilton.
Melvin was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church in Fordyce. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where he received his degree in Forestry. He loved his profession and the outdoors. He retired from Anthony Timberlands in Bearden where he worked as a forester for 37 years. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force in security in the Aleutian Islands during the Vietnam War. He was a family man and took pride in organizing the annual Hazelwood family reunion.
He is survived by his wife Joyce Hazelwood of Fordyce; one son, Russell (Ruth) Hazelwood of Fordyce; one daughter, Tracy Green of Maumelle; two grandchildren, Lawson (McKinley) Green of Maumelle, Julia Green of Little Rock; two step daughters, Missy Morgan of Wylie, TX, Patty Cortesano of Murray, KY; one step son, Dustin (Cory) Bambic of Franklin, TN; five step grandchildren, Lilly, Colton, Judah, Elias, and Ruby; two sisters, Emma Dell Bennett of Tamms, IL, Sammy (Dennis) Thompson of Affton, MO; one sister-in-law, Carmela Hazelwood of Wheeling, WV; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be Friday, August 26, 2022 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday at Benton Funeral Home with Rev. Nathan Petty, Bobby Thornton and Ed Givens officiating. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at St. John’s Cemetery in Dongola, IL. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .