Gene L. Hays

Gene L. Hays, age 89, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was born on March 15, 1932 in Lawrence County, Illinois, the son of Jasper and Blanche (Miller) Hays. He married Patsy Wirth on June 18, 1956, and she preceded him in death on October 18, 2006.

Gene was an operator for Texaco Refinery and Indian Refinery. He was also the owner of Hays Texaco Gas Station and Hays Masonry. He served on the Lawrence County Board, and his memberships included the Pinkstaff United Methodist Church, VFW, American Legion, Elk’s, and Lawrence County Arts Council. He was a generous person, and enjoyed going out to eat and visiting with people. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. His family will remember him as a loving father and grandfather.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; one daughter, Connie Forte; one brother, James Hays; two sisters, Amanda Crow and Rella Wampler; one grandson, Nathaniel Morris; and one granddaughter, Alaina Morris.

Survivors include two children, Chuck Christian and Cyndi Hays-Morris and husband, Rusty all of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one brother, Jerry Hays and wife, Donna of Vincennes, Indiana; one sister, Rose Faith of Florida; five grandchildren, Shawna Forte, Brady Christian, Jama Bales, Annelise Morris, and Graham Morris and wife, Olivia; six great-grandchildren, Peyton Bales, Ellie Bales, K.J. Bales, Mason Morris, Emma Morris, and Joselyn Morris; and special friend Hazel Thurston of Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 5:00 PM CST at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM CST at the funeral home. The family requests that masks be worn. Memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana.

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