Michael D. "Red" Hays

Michael D. "Red" Hays, age 61, of Oquawka, Illinois; passed away at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa on Saturday, May 30th at 12:04 pm. Michael was born on December 4, 1953 in Burlington, Iowa and is the son of Leslie and Carol Kay (Fryrear) Hays. Red was reared and educated in Oquawka where he attended school and graduated from Union High School with the class of 1972. He also attended Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg where he took welding classes. On October 16, 1993, Michael married Lisa Marie Treece in Oquawka, Illinois and she is surviving. Red was employed loading grain barges in Oquawka for many years. He was also employed with the City of Oquawka as a laborer and after the flood of 1993, served the City as the street superintendent until his retirement in 2013. Red was well know for his tomatoes and gardening; especially growing heirloom tomatoes. He loved fishing and the outdoors. Red enjoyed being active in the Oquawka Boy Scout Troop where he served as troop leader for a number of years. He also enjoyed ham radio. Most of all, Red loved his family and friends. Michael is survived by his wife Lisa of Oquawka, two sons; Brian Hays (Leslie) of Derby, KS. and James Hays of Oquawka, one daughter; Mandy (Dave) Trafton of Gladstone, IL., five brothers; Mark (Becky) Hays of New London, IA., Steve (Mellisa) Hays of Macomb, IL., Brian (Amy) Hays of Kirkwood, IL., Robert (Kathy) Hays of Jacksonville, NC., and Curtis (Sherry) Hays of Midland, TX., three sisters; Ann Marie (Jerry) Lauber of Winfield, IA., Cathy (Tim) Roberts of Colchester, IL., and Lisa (Anthony) Miraglia of Peoria, IL., his father; Leslie Hays of Monmouth, IL. Seven grandchildren also survive; Codi, Jared, Megan, Dylan, and Sarah Hays and Shelby and Conner Trafton. Red was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, Carol, and his uncle Duane.

A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. His family will receive friends from 9:00-11:00 prior to the service at the funeral home. Cremation is being accorded. A memorial fund is being established and will be named at a later date. To leave Red's family a condolence, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com