Velma B. Closs, 77, of Hammond, died Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at the Riverledge Nursing Home where she has been a resident for eleven years.

Velma was born in Carthage on April 27 ^th , 1941, the daughter of the late Gilbert and Dorothy (Wells) Rogers.  She graduated from Carthage High School in 1959.  She worked at W.T Grants in Carthage until her marriage.  She married Carl R. Closs on March 4, 1962 at the First Baptist Church, Carthage.  They lived in Naumburg, Morley and Carthage before moving to Hammond in 1965.

Velma enjoyed camping and fishing.  Many happy hours with family members were spent in the fishing boat.  Holidays were very special for her, especially when her children and grandchildren were with her.  She loved baking many different cookies, breads and pies for the holidays.  For many years she used her love of sewing, knitting and painting to make beautiful craft items which she sold at craft fairs.  Friday afternoons you could find Velma and Carl dancing to the live music at Riverledge Nursing Home.  Her biggest pride and joy were her children and grandchild.

She is survived by her husband Carl R. Closs of Hammond; a son Chad (JoeyLynn) Closs of Oswego; a daughter Trina (Frank) Cuccia of Goshen; a son Dana Closs of Liverpool; a daughter Krista (Sean) Tompkins of Springfield, VA; eight grandchildren; Miranda, Chase, Haley, Carissa, Frankie, Trinity, Gabriel, and Maeve; a sister; Aletha Streeter of Carthage; a sister in-law Jean Oliver Miller, Ontario; two brother in-laws Gary Oliver, Auburn and Terry Oliver, NC and many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by a brother, Gilbert W. Rogers, Jr,  sister in-law Jeanette Caulkins and a sister and brother in-law, Evelyn and Marco Orasi, Auburn.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 19 at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, 518 State St., Carthage with Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Carthage. Calling hours will be on Thursday, October 18 from 4-6pm at the funeral home.

To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.