Elaine Hays

Elaine Hays, age 85, of Rural Alexis, Illinois, passed away at 4:19 am on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at her residence. She was born on August 16, 1930 in Monmouth, Illinois, the daughter of W. Joseph and Lois M. (Earp) Leary. Elaine attended schools in Little York and Aledo. She was a graduate of Aledo High School with the Class of 1948. On October 9, 1948, Elaine married Raymond H. Hays in Aledo, IL and he is surviving. Elaine was a homemaker, tending to her family and the farm. She and Raymond moved to Monmouth, IL in 1955, and they resumed farming in the Alexis area in 1967 to the present. Elaine was also employed for twenty years as a waitress at the Park-N-Eat and Melings restaurants, both in Monmouth. She attended St. Theresa Catholic Church in Alexis regularly and is a member of it's Altar and Rosary Society. Elaine is survived by her husband, Raymond of Alexis, four daughters; Mary Ann (Dale) Nannen of Hopedale, IL, Sharon (Bill) Ciulini of Hoffman Estates, IL, Carol Winbigler of Wataga, IL, and Amy (Paul) Craane of Wheaton, IL, two sons; Michael W. (Cathy) Hays of Angola, IN, and John (Jennifer) Hays of Byron, IL,. There are twenty-two grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters; Rosemary Williams of Raritan, IL and Alice Barnett of Woodhull, IL, and one brother; Charles Leary of Little York, IL. Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, two sons, one daughter, two grandsons, and one brother.

A Memorial Mass is planned for 10:30 am on Monday, November 30, 2015 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Alexis, Illinois. The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am prior to the Mass at the Church. Cremation is being accorded, and interment of her ashes will be at a later date. A luncheon and fellowship will follow the memorial mass at the Church. A memorial fund is being established for the Salvation Army. For more information, or to leave a condolence, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com