Ind. Woman Gets Christmas-Themed Funeral
URL: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ristmas_funeral
ST. JOHN, Ind. - Ozella "Ozzie" McHargue's Christmas spirit was always evident — even at her holly, jolly funeral this week. McHargue came up with the idea 17 months ago after being diagnosed with cancer. She said she didn't want depressing organ music at her funeral — she wanted songs like "Silver Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
She got her wish.
The funeral home in St. John, about 10 miles south of Gary, was decorated with holly, wreaths, mistletoe, poinsettias and a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from friends and family. McHargue was placed in a custom-made red and green casket for her wake Monday evening.
Ozzie, a longtime widow who died Sept. 22 at age 67, always sprang to life around Christmas, her family said. She enjoyed Santa, Frosty and her personal favorite, the Grinch.
"Mom was always cheesy with the decorating, too. Things weren't done until they were overdone," said daughter Kristy Hudi, who wore a Christmas tree pin on her blouse.
Daughter Rhonda McHargue said her mother's home was filled with Christmas decorations.
"It was like going to the North Pole," she said.
The daughters planned to give close friends and family the Christmas tree ornaments after the funeral.
"Mom would have liked that," Rhonda McHargue said.
URL: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ristmas_funeral
ST. JOHN, Ind. - Ozella "Ozzie" McHargue's Christmas spirit was always evident — even at her holly, jolly funeral this week. McHargue came up with the idea 17 months ago after being diagnosed with cancer. She said she didn't want depressing organ music at her funeral — she wanted songs like "Silver Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
She got her wish.
The funeral home in St. John, about 10 miles south of Gary, was decorated with holly, wreaths, mistletoe, poinsettias and a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from friends and family. McHargue was placed in a custom-made red and green casket for her wake Monday evening.
Ozzie, a longtime widow who died Sept. 22 at age 67, always sprang to life around Christmas, her family said. She enjoyed Santa, Frosty and her personal favorite, the Grinch.
"Mom was always cheesy with the decorating, too. Things weren't done until they were overdone," said daughter Kristy Hudi, who wore a Christmas tree pin on her blouse.
Daughter Rhonda McHargue said her mother's home was filled with Christmas decorations.
"It was like going to the North Pole," she said.
The daughters planned to give close friends and family the Christmas tree ornaments after the funeral.
"Mom would have liked that," Rhonda McHargue said.
