Dick M. Hays

OAKWOOD – Dick M. Hays, 94, of Oakwood, passed away at 5:35 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Defiance Inpatient Hospice.  He was born May 11, 1929, in Oakwood to the late Loyal and Alta (Ladd) Hays.  On September 27, 1951, he married Winona Evans who survives in Oakwood. They were married over 72 years.

He is also survived by three children: Diane (Bruce) Erford of Oakwood, Steve (Cindy) Hays of Ft. Wayne, Laura (Hal) Hoover of Celina; five grandchildren: Matthew (Jill) Erford, Melanie (Ryan) Zolman, Jason (April) Hays, Nicole (Aaron) Capriglione, Stacey Hays; twelve great-grandchildren: Kyle, Carter, Tyler, Amelia, Kelebrant, Mandos, Nenya, Vilya, Edra-Jean, Willow, Sophia, and Evlynn; and a sister:  Patricia Northcutt of Bryan.

He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, L.C. Northcutt.

Dick graduated from Oakwood High School and in 1951 began serving in the U.S. Army. He trained to be a battery clerk in Japan and was stationed with the 999th Armored Field Artillery Battalion north of Seoul, Korea.

Dick was a lifelong farmer.  For over 60 years he met monthly as part of the Friendly Neighbors Farm Bureau Council.

He was a Sunday School teacher at the former Woodlawn/Cornerstone United Methodist Church and served as a lay speaker, traveling to various congregations to share the gospel message. For the last several years he was actively involved at Forever His Christian Ministries. He held multiple offices as a member of the Defiance Camp of The Gideons International.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Bethel Christian Church, Arthur, Ohio with Pastor Chris Baker officiating.  Burial will follow at Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Oakwood with military rites by the Paulding VFW.   A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood, and again on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International.

Condolences may be expressed at www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com

Gideons International