Earl L. Hayes, 88, of Hillsboro, formerly of Butler, died on Friday, April 19, 2019, at 1:24 a.m. at Hillsboro Rehab and Health Care Center.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the funeral home. Rev. Michael Lawton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Hillsboro, will officiate. Burial will be at Wares Grove Cemetery in rural Butler.
Mr. Hayes was born on Aug. 28, 1930, in Jacksonville, to Louis E. and Ruth (Howerton) Hayes. Throughout his life Mr. Hayes lived in Ohlman, Butler, and later in Hillsboro. He was a 1948 graduate of Hillsboro High School. Mr. Hayes married Mary Ann Henson on Aug. 5, 1956, in Springfield.
He was employed as a correctional officer at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro. Prior to his employment as a correctional officer, Mr. Hayes was the plant manager for Standard Oil Fertilizer Plant in Butler, and was a farmer. He was a 4-H leader, and a member of Charolais Cattle Association. He loved to be outdoors and especially loved horses, fishing, and deer hunting.
Mr. Hayes is survived by his children, Ruth (husband Steve) Ernst of Hillsboro, Kenneth (wife Maureen) Hayes of Butler, and Tony Hayes of Hillsboro; a son-in-law, Tom Weller of Litchfield; grandchildren, Stephanie (wife Jessica Henry) Ernst, Allison (companion Shannon Roberts) Ernst, Rachel (husband Jose) Lopez, Rob Hayes, Jason (wife Amanda) Hayes, Bryan (companion Amanda) Hayes, Chris Weller, and Jeff Weller; great-grandchildren, Devin Hayes, Hunter Hayes, Zoey Hayes, Oliver Lopez, Gabryella Hayes, Levi Lipe, and Chloe Hoffman; and siblings, Joann Pearson, Joy Lemon, Georgia Eller and Jerry Hayes.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three children, Donna Jean Hayes, Merle Ann Weller and Lee Hayes; and a sister, Louise Westcott.
Memorials may be directed to Myotonic Dystrophy or Wares Grove Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.basspatttondeanfh.com.
