Hazel Colleen Whanger

Eric and Rebekah Morrison Whanger of Springfield are the parents of a baby girl, Hazel Colleen Whanger, born April 7, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 19 1/2  inches long. Her adoption by Rebekah and Eric was finalized Dec. 12, 2025, in Springfield by Greene County Judge Andy Hosmer, pictured here with the Whangers. In 2021, Judge Hosmer also finalized the adoption of Hazel’s excited big brother Bennett, 5.  

Maternal grandparents are Ozark County native Bryon Morrison of Springfield and Colleen and Robert Jennings of Republic. Paternal grandparents are Kim Whanger of Mountain Grove, and Charlie and Nikki Whanger of Vanzant. Maternal great-grandparents include the late Dale and Violet Morrison, formerly of Tecumseh.