Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE – Margaret Ellen “Mugs” Yazel, 88, of Tippecanoe, passed on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.
Maggie was born on Dec. 23, 1937, in Leesburg, to the late Clarence and Ruth Garrison Hamman. She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1955. On March 6, 1965, she married Russell Rex “Arkie” Yazel in Warsaw; he preceded her in death on July 8, 2021.
Maggie was a devoted homemaker and owner, with her husband, of their family business, A.J. Coil of Tippecanoe. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Mentone, where she faithfully served in Vacation Bible School and spent many years as secretary of the AWANA program. She especially loved being involved with the church’s trunk‑or‑treat each year.
Maggie enjoyed reading, crafting and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She adored her cat, Tippy; and her dog, Maxx; who brought her daily joy.
She is survived by her daughters: Joanne and husband Darrell Dean, of Warsaw; Rachel and husband Frank Banghart, of Warsaw; Sherry and husband Stan Pequignot, of Winona Lake; and Kathy and husband Lloyd Morgan, of Akron; sons, Randy and wife Aimee Nellans, of Rochester; and Rusty and wife Kelly Nellans, of Mentone; 21 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; son, Max Yazel; siblings: Dorothy (Fenton) Summerlot, Mary Jane (Max) Sickman, Martha (Donald) Atchison, Alyce Long, Ruthann “Nanny” (Ralph) Netzley, Carl (Lois) Hamman and Clarence “Sonny” (Jean) Hamman; and a brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Ellanora Yazel.
The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone, with Pastors Tim Farley and Michael Wilhite officiating. The interment will follow the service in the Mentone Cemetery, Mentone.
Visitation hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 at King Memorial Home, Mentone.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to First Baptist Church of Mentone.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
