Hazel Lena Foust

HAZEL LENA KETCHERSIDE FOUST, (Mrs. Wayne Foust), passed on ahead of us on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the age of 94 years. For sixty years, Hazel and Wayne were known as an exemplary ministry team couple. She supported his pastoral and editing ministries in every way possible. After Wayne’s death, in 2013, Hazel moved from Poplar Bluff, MO to Indianapolis, IN where she was cared for by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol & Steve Smith.

Hazel was born to Alvis and Mae Ketcherside, on December 31, 1931, as the sixth of nine children. One of her favorite enjoyments during childhood and adolescence was roller skating. She was often a featured skater for competitions. After graduating from The Wheatley School and Poplar Bluff High School, she completed two years at Baptist Junior College. She was hired as Executive Secretary by the Editor for The General Baptist Press and Messenger (now Stinson Press) where she met a young linotype operator who had returned from the Korean War. Wayne and Hazel were married on October 11, 1953. After Wayne entered pastoral ministry in the late 1950s, Hazel supported his return to college for theological education and his seminary studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.

Through the years, Hazel and Wayne focused on family. They nurtured their children while also extending their family circle to include their nephew, Kenny Ness, after the deaths of his parents. When their youngest child, Carol, reached school age, Hazel returned to working outside the home to enhance the financial foundation of the family. In Kansas City, she worked for General Motors and IRS.

When Wayne was named Editor of Stinson Press, in Poplar Bluff, she became employed as a Medical Transcriptionist at John J Pershing Veteran’s Medical Center. Her co-workers, family and friends were amazed by her typing acumen. She typed more than 160 words per minute with accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and spacing. As a Medical Transcriptionist, she wore a dictation headset and listened to various medical doctor’s notes while interpreting accents and medical terminology to create written copy of veteran’s medical records. She also guided the medical records offices into the computer age. In addition to working full-time, she served as Wayne’s (no salary) assistant editor by proofreading and re-typing copy for publications. Hazel found meaning in organization and in providing opportunities for her family. Her primary Ministry in Daily Life was providing administrative support for her husband’s ministries while investing in strengthening local churches.

In January of 1972, the month after her fortieth birthday, Hazel survived a tragic accident when a fully loaded freight train hit her car on the driver’s side at an unmarked crossing south of Owensboro, KY. That foggy morning redirected her life. She barely survived the accident and after years of physical therapy, she still lived with chronic pain caused by the impact. Her strong will sustained her through years of work and family support as she lived for an additional fifty-four years.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings – Leonard (Verna); Wilburn (Addie Jean); Paul (Alta); Gene (Shirley); Mildred Cain (Howard); Edna Miller (Gordon); Etta (infant); six nieces and nephews, and a granddaughter, Emily Foust. She is survived by a brother, Earl (Betty) Ketcherside of Poplar Bluff, MO; her four children – Dennis Foust (Paula) of Charlotte, NC; David Foust of Orlando, FL; Carol Smith (Steve) of Indianapolis, IN and Kenneth Ness (Dee) of Fayetteville, AR; seven grandchildren – Nathanael Foust of Fayetteville, NC; Rachael Tomello (Dave) of Tampa, FL; Caleb Foust (Mary Beth) of Charlotte, NC; Taylor (Lacey) Osborn of Indianapolis, IN; Zach Smith of Indianapolis, IN; Adam Ness of Tulsa, OK; and Monica Ness of Fayetteville, AR; three great-grandchildren – Ava and Eleanor Foust of Charlotte, NC and Raelyn Osborn of Indianapolis, IN; one brother in law, Alfred (Judy-deceased) Foust of Bedford, IN and twenty nieces and nephews.

Visitation for friends will be held on Monday, February 02, 2026, from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services, 1100 Iron Bridge Road, Poplar Bluff, MO. A memorial service to celebrate Hazel’s life and ministry is scheduled for Tuesday, February 03, 2026, at 11:00 AM, in the sanctuary of Fellowship General Baptist Church, 3581 N. Westwood Blvd, Poplar Bluff, MO. Interment will take place at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to the: Dr. Wayne Foust/Dr. Ollie Latch Scholarship Fund, Advancement Office, Oakland City University, 138 North Lucretia Street, Oakland City, Indiana 47660.