Hazel Eileen Ressler

Hazel Eileen Ressler, 89, of Bainbridge, PA, unexpectedly joined her savior Jesus Christ early on May 4, 2026, realizing her personal hope of instant transport to a heavenly home. Born in Elizabethtown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Abram L. and Laura K. (Miller) Gish. Hazel was the wife of the late Nelson K. Ressler, who passed away on July 20, 2021. After Hazel’s 1954 graduation from Elizabethtown Area High School, she made good use of “shorthand,” a legacy notetaking skill, in her role as the initial and solo secretary for the (David) Landis’ Insurance Agency. Upon retirement, Mr. Landis honored Hazel with a bank teller’s position at Elizabethtown Trust Company, where he served as president. Several decades later, after stints of teller work beyond Pennsylvania, Hazel retired from service with the Fulton Bank, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Sprinkled among the early years of Hazel’s career were occasional trips abroad, including Europe, Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands. She also enriched her life playing the accordion and accompanying church hymns. Nelson added the enjoyment of frequenting concerts of Southern Gospel music. Hazel’s lifelong delight in friendships blossomed into a valued ministry at Word of Life Chapel, Bainbridge, PA: serving as WOLC’s distributor of “care packages” for college students; volunteering cards for every known birthday, anniversary, or sympathy event; and sharing encouragement via occasional visits, phone chats, or mailed church bulletins. Hazel is survived by: 3 stepchildren: Dale Ressler, husband of Bobbi, of Bainbridge, Pennsylvania; Sherry Wells, wife of David, of Nunica, Michigan; and Todd Gehring, husband of Melody, of Bountiful, Utah 5 stepgrandchildren: Luke Wells, Katie Wells Sanger, and Jakob Wells: sons and daughter of Sherry and David Wells, of Nunica, Michigan; Nicholas Ressler, husband of Carissa, of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; and Samantha Tate, wife of Josh, of Hershey, Pennsylvania; son and daughter of Dale and Bobbi Ressler, of Bainbridge, Pennsylvania 7 step-great grandchildren: Emery Wells, Ezekiel Sanger, and Hadassah Sanger: grandchildren of Sherry and David Wells, of Nunica, Michigan, Elias M. Ressler, Journei G Ressler, Aria Ressler, and Ayden Ressler, grandchildren of Dale and Bobbi Ressler, of Bainbridge, Pennsylvania 1 sister, Elaine Huber, wife of Raymond, of Manheim, Pennsylvania 1 brother, Nevin Gish, husband of Dee, of Lititz, Pennsylvania A memorial service honoring Hazel’s life will be held at Word of Life Chapel, 139 Wickersham Rd, Bainbridge, PA 17502 on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11 AM. Family and friends will be received at the church following the service. A private interment was held at Good’s Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ministries of Word of Life Chapel or Samaritan’s Purse.

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Hazel Eileen Ressler

November 13, 1936 - May 4, 2026