Richard C. Hayden

1942 - 2025

Richard "Dick" C. Hayden, age 83, died early Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, at Rush Hospital in Chicago after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Dick was born November 1, 1942, to Richard and Helen Ware Hayden of Greenup, IL. He was their only child and often noted that he arrived on All Saints Day, a day set aside to honor all saints known and unknown.

He married Carolyn Massie of Toledo on September 1, 1963. She survives him, along with their children Beth Hayden and her husband Jay, and John Hayden and his wife Vickie. He is survived by his grandchildren Mitchell and his sister Claire, children of Jill Hortenstine, and William.

Dick practiced law for many years and valued travel. Ireland, Canada and Colorado were regular destinations. His time was filled with cooking, fishing, painting, hiking and running. He remained an active reader until his final days. He enjoyed long conversations with Carolyn over coffee about books and news. Together, they wrote a weekly column titled "Channeling Helen" for the Toledo Democrat. The archives hold many stories about his years growing up in Cumberland County.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Mattoon, IL at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Dick's family suggests memorials to the following organizations:

Rush University Medical Center, 1201 W. Harrison Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60607-3319 or Project Purple, PO Box 884, Seymour, CT 06483.

For service details please call (847) 823-1171 or visit ryan-parke.com.