John Francis "Jack" Hayes

WOODSTOCK – John "Jack" Francis Hayes, 91, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock.
He was born Aug. 24, 1919, in Woodstock, to John J. and Etta Goodrow Hayes.
He graduated from St. Mary High School in 1938, where he was a member of the 1936 undefeated football team. He attended St. Joseph College and served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46.
On Jan. 2, 1943, he married "the girl next door," Betty Irene Deitz. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this year.
He owned and operated Goodrow Garage in Woodstock and later worked for McHenry County Accounts.
For many years, he was a member of McHenry County Fair Board, serving as treasurer, and he was instrumental in bringing harness racing to the county fair. He owned and raced a trotter, Eph Song.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Hayes; his daughter, Suzanne Hayes; his sister, Jane Gibson; his nephews, Phillip (Jan) Parker of Woodstock, Thomas (Cyndi) Parker of Chicago and Peter (Linda) Parker of Bristol, Wis.; and his nieces, Diane (Danny) Sheahan, Kriss (Jim) Piebetrau of Woodstock and Julie (Bud) Gende of Princeton, Wis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; John and Etta Hayes; his sister, Helen Hayes Parker; his niece, Mary Sue Parker; and his brother-in-law, Glenn Gibson.
The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, with a 7 p.m. liturgical service, at Schneider-Leucth-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Interment will be at a later date.
Charitable gifts may be made in his name to Passages Hospice, 134 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, IL 60123; Valley Hi Nursing Home, 2406 Hartland Road, Woodstock, IL 60098; or the charity of the donor's choice.
For information, call the funeral home at 815-338-1710.