Claudine Marie (Hobbs) Ozee

Claudine Marie (Hobbs) Ozee, 88, a long-time resident of the Gallatin County area, was ushered into heaven in a blink of an eye on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.

Claudine was born at home on November 24, 1936 in East Alton, Illinois to the late Claude and Linda (Mouser) Hobbs. She graduated high school from Alton Senior High on June 10, 1954 and instead of a class ring, she chose a wedding band and married her childhood sweetheart, the love of her life on June 12, 1954 at The Baptist Church in Shawneetown, Illinois.

From that union two daughters were born. Renee (Dale) Patton of Elizabethtown, Illinois and Mechele Hall of Evansville, Indiana. She was blessed with four grandchildren, Brandy and Blake Patton and Carley and Mason Hall; two great-grandchildren, Bradley Wayne Patton and August “Augie” Alexander Smith. She also has a bonus grandson, John Langan and his boys Zaiden and Kaisen, and bonus son, Charlie Hall. 

Claudine, from the early age never wavered from her deep belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. She herself survived a near fatal car wreak in the 1950’s; the hospital staff placed her and Dad in a room to die. In 1961, after giving birth to her first child, she almost lost her from choking to death, she prayed to God for divine intervention. In her 60’s, osteoarthritis began ravaging her body, eventually crippling her knees, hands and fingers. She survived cancer in her 70’s along with onset kidney failure. In her 80’s she began to lose her hearing and then her eyesight and yet again, her faith was even stronger that God would help her through her adversities. 

Claudine was known for her servant heart, often prioritizing the needs of others above her own. She willingly gave her time, effort and resources to those in need. She helped to raise and provide guidance to her sisters four children, especially after they lost their own mother to cancer; and to her brother-in-law’s four children in their early years, always treating all of them as her own. Many times, you would hear any one of those kids say,” I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for Aunt Dean and Uncle Dale.” She was an extended Mom to many others.

She helped watch her grandchildren while their parents worked. Many a tales could be told about adventures with Grandma Ozee. From her joyful car rides, to her teaching cooking skills, to teaching and encouraging them to sing, and always telling them to pray and follow Jesus, He is always there for you. But of all the jobs she held, from factory work, to farming, to bookkeeping, and working at the Forestry Service in Hardin County and at Shawnee Development, by far, her favorite job was that of Grandma.

Claudine was a great cook. She prepared and served many a meal across her own table for anyone that showed up for a visit. From deer hunters, to family butchering in the fall, from jam session of playing music in the basement, to those needing a weekend getaway or even those that needed a soft place to live when there was nowhere else to go. 

Claudine leaves behind in addition to her girls Renee and Mechele and their families, her nieces and nephews who were like her own, Debbie (Mike), John and Kim, Tina (Rob), Lori (Mike), Linda (Rick), Judy (Mark), Anita (Carl), Janet deceased; as well as several other nieces and nephews. Brother-in-law Tom (Linda) Ozee, her faithful friends Phyllis Riley, and Kathy Robinson and a host of family and friends.

Claudine is preceded in death by her parents, Claude (Linda) Hobbs, her siblings, Billy D. Wallace, Loretta (Jack) Crider, and Lloyd Dale Hobbs, her in-laws, Alvin (Edna) Ozee and Dales two brothers and four sisters, and her forever love, Clifford Dale Ozee.

Services are Saturday, January 4th visitation will be from 10 – 11 AM at Cox and Son Funeral Home, 209 S. Jarrell Street, Ridgway, IL. with a chapel service at 11:00. Burial will be at Ozee Cemetery just off Pounds Hollow Rd. There will be a lunch following at Pisgah General Baptist, Claudine’s home church. Claudine’s last wish was to have everyone come eat.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations to Shawnee Development Council 530 W Washington St, Karnak, IL 62956: Golden Circle 129 IL-146, Elizabethtown, IL 62931; Golden Circle 110 N Crawford St, Ridgway, IL 62979  or Pisgah General Baptist Church 6155 IL-1, Junction, IL 62954.