Gerald Albert Hayden

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Gerald Albert Hayden, 86, of Pittsfield, passed away Saturday (Aug. 15, 2015) at the Barry Community Care Center in Barry.

Gerald was born Oct. 8, 1928, in Pittsfield, to Lloyd Allen and Vera Fawn Landess Hayden. He married Wanda Ellen Powell in Raymond, Ill., on April 6, 1957. She preceded him in death June 22, 1959.

Gerald was an United States Air Force veteran serving from 1950-54 with his twin brother, Earl, in Newfoundland during the Korean War. Gerald farmed most of his life at Sunny Hill in Newburg Township. He also sold insurance for 20 years with Country Companies, later buying and operating the Evans Insurance Co. in Griggsville.

He was a member of the Pittsfield American Legion Post 152, was a former Pike County Farm Bureau member and recently attended the Detroit Christian Church.

He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and mowing.

The most important thing in Gerald's life was his daughters, his twin brother, his farm and his dogs.

Survivors include his daughters, Teresa Clingingsmith (husband Terry) of Quincy, and Carol Witham (husband Craig) of Carlinville; also surviving are four grandchildren, Amanda Donaldson, Kayla Boucher, and Kyle and Kegan Witham; along with four great-grandchildren, Evan, Ethan and Eli Donaldson and Jace Williams. His twin brother, Earl Hayden of Pittsfield, also survives.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda; a brother, Leslie Arthur "Art" Hayden; a son-in-law, Bob Boucher, and a sister-in-law, Josephine Hayden.

SERVICES: Private graveside services will be held in the Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. No local services or visitation will be held.

ARRANGEMENTS: Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield.

WEBSITE: www.niebur.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.