Hays, Owen C. 1908-1996

HAYS, REYNOLDS, HENNESSEY, CARSON, SNYDER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/26/2014 at 13:12:09

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
May 16, 1996

OWEN C. HAYS

Owen C. Hays, 87, of Grinnell died Tuesday, May 14, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

The funeral mass will be celebrated Friday at St. Mary's Catholic church, with the Rev. Anthony G. Farrell officiating. Music will be presented by members of St. Mary's Choir and organist Kyle Szary. Pallbearers will be Matt Carson, Steve Carson, Ryan Hays, Tom Lacina, Jim White and Harold Woodworth.

Veterans military rites will be conducted by members of Focht-Tennant Post No. 53, American Legion, with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grinnell Regional Medical Center or the Grinnell Senior Center.

The son of Walter N. and Martha Reynolds Hays, he was born Nov. 16, 1908, in Somerset, Ky. He later moved with his family to Grinnell, graduating from Grinnell High School in 1927. He helped his father farm and raise poultry and livestock and also was employed by Rudkin Hatchery in Grinnell for several years. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army.

He was married to Margaret A. "Peggy" Hennessey Aug. 20, 1945, in Joplin, Mo. They lived in Dixon, Iowa, Kansas City, Mo., and Iowa City before returning to Grinnell.

Mr. Hays worked for several years with Williams Brothers Pipeline in Iowa City. He was a member of the Grinnell American Legion and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Surviving are his children, Paul of Ottawa, Ont., Canada, and Jeanette Carson of Oxford; one sister, Edith Snyder of Tama; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Mary Hays, in infancy; and one grandson.