Phillip Robert Hayes

1951 - 2024

Phillip Robert Hayes

March 22, 1951 - March 30, 2024

Phillip Robert Hayes passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2024 after a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer. He was 73 years old.

Visitation will be held at Pape Funeral Home on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00p.m. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Prince of Peace Parish with burial to follow at St. Irenaeus Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Phillip "Phil" Robert Hayes was born on March, 22, 1951 in Canton, OH to Robert and Julia (Balou) Hayes. When Phil was a junior in high school, the family relocated to Camanche, IA. Phil graduated from Camanche High School in 1969. He went on to earn a degree in History and Education from the University of Northern Iowa. On June 25, 1976 he married Ellen Vens. To this union three daughters were born: Jennifer (Hayes) Miller, Emily (Hayes) McCollum and Sarah Hayes.

On May 22, 1987, Phil was united in marriage to Mary Thornton Dermody. With this union, Phil gained four children: Katie (Dermody) Kuehl, Kelly (Dermody) Fox, John Dermody and James Dermody. Blending their family of seven children, Phil coined their family the Clinton Brady Bunch.

Phil worked in the auto industry as a sales advisor at McEleney Motors and later at John Keady. He spent the last 14 years of his career as a Claims Adjuster at Sentry Insurance.

After their retirements in 2014, Phil and Mary loved traveling to visit their children and grandchildren across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Arizona, California and Texas. It was during a trip to California that Phil's granddaughter, Grace, gave him the nickname "Grumpy." This nickname stuck and Phil began sporting "Grumpy" shirts whenever he wasn't on the golf course.

Phil was an active member in Prince of Peace Parish where he and Mary enjoyed sharing their experiences of blending their family with other couples who were embarking on the same journey.

Phil was an avid golfer, woodworker and gardener. Phil was a member of the Fulton Country Club and enjoyed teaching others his favorite sport. Following in his father's shoes, Phil was a skilled woodworker. He took pride in his projects, and you can find his work displayed throughout the homes of his family and friends. Phil was a master gardener, always putting his children and grandchildren to work in the garden. He loved history, trivia and inserting humor into conversation whenever possible. Phil's love for life, quick wit and golf lessons will be incredibly missed.

Phil is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Thornton Hayes of Clinton, IA; seven children: Sarah Hayes of a tour bus somewhere in North America, Emily (Joseph) McCollum of Sac City, IA, Jennifer Hayes Miller of Byron, IL, James (Natalie) Dermody of Cypress, TX, John (Deanna) Dermody of Clive, IA, Kelly (Brent) Fox of Long Beach, CA and Katie Kuehl of Cedar Rapids, IA; 13 grandchildren: Elissa and Cameron Miller, Sam, Abby and Alex Dermody, Zach, Lizzie and Matthew Dermody, Grace and Hannah Osier, Kyle (Chelsee) Dermody, Allison and Emily Kuehl; one great-grandchild, Kellen Hayes Dermody; sister, Barbara Fry of East Sparta, OH; brothers: Robert (Debbie) Hayes of Massillon, OH, Bill Hayes of East Sparta, OH, Michael (Sandra) Hayes of Clinton, IA; brother-in-law, Dan Thornton; and sister-in-law, Joanne Thornton; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Nancy, niece, Denise, nephew, Kenny, brothers-in-law: Chuck Thornton and Richard Thornton; sister-in-law, Ruth Van Loo.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the incredible care Phil received from the medical teams of MercyOne, the University of Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Alverno Skilled Care Unit.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Phil's name to American Cancer Society or St. Jude's. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.