Helen Genevieve Hayes

Helen Genevieve Hayes, 99, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at 5:49 p.m. at Colonial Manor Nursing Home, with her family by her side. Helen was born on December 29, 1911, in LaCrosse, Indiana, to Dora and Samuel Miller and grew up in Hammond, Indiana with sisters, Fay, Mabel and Adeline who have all preceded her in death. She married William Eldridge Hayes July 11, 1931 and lived in Peru, Indiana where they raised two daughters and two sons. Her husband died in 1981 and Helen moved to Danville, IL two years later where she resided at the Vermilion House for 28 years. Helen was a devoted wife and mother and had many interests. She was a great cook, gardener, sewed, crocheted, quilted and made many crafts that her children handed down through generations to be enjoyed for many years in her memory. Helen was friendly and sociable and loved to have coffee with the neighbors, and met frequently at each other's home to play cards or have quilting parties. Helen always put her family first and she and her husband spent many hours with their children, attending their various activities and supporting them in meeting their goals. After moving to the Vermilion House, Helen's life took on a new direction. She met many new friends, traveled extensively to several states including Hawaii and Alaska, and to Europe. She attended all the activities at the Vermilion House including the craft club, bingo parties, potluck nights and rummage sales. She was a member of CrossRoads Christian Church and enjoyed volunteering at the Nursing Home in Chrisman, IL. Helen also enjoyed two favorite soap operas and most of all, she was a Cub fan, never missing a game on T.V. Helen lived independently until she entered Colonial Manor last January. Missing her are her four surviving children Marcia (Roger) Moore of Danville, IL, Barbara (Jack-deceased) Boyd of Marion, IN, Samuel (Barbara) Hayes of Ft. Wayne, IN and Thomas (Jeanie) Hayes of Kokomo, IN. Other survivors include nine grandchildren: Sandy (Bill) Bush of Danville, IL, Gary (Annette) Moore of Indianapolis, IN, Stacy (Blake) Nolan of Jasper, Indiana, Richard Pollett of Muncie, Indiana, Norman (Jo) Pollett of Toledo, Ohio, Amy Jenkins of Ossian, Indiana, Adam (Andrea) Hayes of Noblesville, IN, Holy (Kevin) Pike of Brownsburg, IN and Brian (Michelle) Hayes of Kokomo, IN. Helen's other survivors include 4 nieces, 25 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of the Life of Helen Genevieve Hayes will be at 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 2, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home, with Pastor Paul Ziebert officiating. A visitation will follow the service from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. est. Saturday at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Peru, Indiana. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.