Merle Allen Hayden

Merle Allen Hayden, 86, of 2130 Harrison, Apt. 31D, died at 8:15 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 28, 2010) in his home.

He was born Dec. 11, 1923, in Pittsfield, a son of Claude and Florine Stanbridge Hayden. On Dec. 18, 1948, he married Dorothy Allen in Pittsfield. She survives.

Merle graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 301 Bomb Group, 32nd Bomb Squadron, from 1943-1946 in Faggia, Italy. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1986 after 20 years of service.

He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Fowler. He was also a member of the American Legion and the U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers Union.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years; a son, Michael Hayden and his wife, Shirley, of Mendon; a daughter, Vicki Frese of Quincy; four grandchildren, Thomas and Timothy Frese, both of Quincy, Jacob Hayden and his wife, Alex, of Chicago, and Sarah Jubina and her husband, Robert, of Fishers, Ind.; five great-grandchildren, Camryn, Payden and Ian Frese, all of Quincy, and Amelia and Abigail Hayden of Chicago; a brother, Robert Hayden of Eugene, Ore.; two nieces; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son in infancy; two sisters, Gwen Baughman and Claudine Eagle; a brother, James Hayden; a son-in-law, Robert Frese; and a nephew, Bobby Hayden.

SERVICES: 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Disseler conducting. Burial with military rites by American Legion Post 37 will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Donor's choice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

WEB SITE: www.hansenspear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.