GAVIN A. HAYES

GENEVA - Gavin A. Hayes, age 49, fought the good fight for three years against B-Cell Histiocyte Rich T- Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His body may have broken, but Gavin's spirit stayed strong, and his ever-present sense of humor remained sharp, even into his last days. He was finally freed and won eternal life on October 12, 2021, surrounded not only by the love and prayers of his family, but that of his family of firefighters and community of friends. He was born January 19, 1972, in St. Charles to proud parents, John and Melissa (Stembridge) Hayes. The world is darker with his absence, but his memory shines bright to lead the way for others who will never forget his love, friendship and the impact he had on so many. He will be forever loved by his wife, Christina and their children, Jordan, 14, and Eli, 11; his mother and stepfather, Melissa and Phil Conley; his stepmother, Marilyn Hayes; many aunts, uncles, cousins and a family of friends that stretches farther than the eye can see. He joins in Heaven his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his father, John M. Hayes. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., with a special "walk-through" of his family of firefighters beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, October 22, 2021, at Chapel Street Church, Keslinger Campus, 3435 Keslinger Rd., Geneva, IL 60134. A funeral service to celebrate his life will begin at 12 noon, Saturday, October 23, also at the church. Graveside services will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that all donations go to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital. You can give online at www.stjude.org or https://give.luriechildrens.org. To mail donations, please send in Gavin's name St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. You can share memories and tributes on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.