Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Jim Hayes
Jun 29th, 1951 - Feb 21st, 2023James Leroy Hayes, age 71, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Tuesday evening, February 21, 2023, at Willowbrook of Effingham.
He was born June 29, 1951, in Lawrence County, the son of Raymond T. and Esther (Moran) Hayes. He was united in marriage to Sarah B. Ferguson on September 16, 1989, at the Assembly of God Church in Flora, and together they have shared 33 wedding anniversaries.
Jim worked for North American Lighting in Flora for 30 years as an Injection Molding Engineer. He enjoyed playing golf with Sarah, attending the Flora Senior Center, and had helped at the food pantry. He and Sarah have been members of the First Church of Flora.
He is survived by his wife: Sarah Hayes of Flora; 2 sons: Scott Hayes (Kelly) of Sumner, and Chad Hayes of Sumner; 7 grandchildren: Izabel, Kayla, Lennon, Holden, Drayden, Colton, and Payton; siblings: Jack (Pat) Hayes of Olney, Bob (Dee) Hayes of Bridgeport, Ellen (Chuck) Mortenson of Midwest, Wyoming, Mike (Sheila) Hayes of Sumner, and Kathy Slichenmyer of Olney; a brother-in-law: Dan Piper of Bridgeport; a sister-in-law: Penny Hayes of Sumner; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Dolores (Wilbur) Cummins, Thelma Piper, Evelyn (Charlie) Ledbetter, and Kenny Hayes; and a brother-in-law: Joe Slichenmyer.
A visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at First Church of Flora (203 East 3rd Street.) A funeral ceremony will begin at the church at 1 p.m. with Jim Earleywine officiating. The interment will be at Crest Haven Memorial Park, Claremont, at 3:30 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to either Clay County Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry or Meals on Wheels and will be accepted through the funeral home. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com