DOVER - Hazel Balke passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at home surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Maryland, Aug. 20, 1917, daughter of the late Martha and Clarence Allen. Hazel worked for the Caesar Rodney School District for 17 ½ years. Her hobbies included crocheting, reading and she loved spending time with her family and will surely be missed. She is predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Otto E. Balke; her daughters, Shirley and Carolyn Balke; grandson, Glenn Johnson; brothers, Alfred, Clifford and Buddy Allen; sisters, Pearl Thorpe, Mary Hollenger and Hilda Thompson. Hazel is survived by her sister, Louise Ghram of Felton; son, Nickie Balke and his wife Louise, of Woodside; daughters, Violet McKinney and her husband Paul, of Dover, Janice Walls and her husband Billy, of Woodside, and Jean Burke and her husband Shawn, of Dover; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where viewing will be one hour earlier. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com