Stanley T. Hays

Stanley T. Hays, 93, of St. Joseph, went home to meet his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Friday, September 3, 2010 at Woodland Terrace Assisted Living in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco St., St. Joseph with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, with graveside military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Stanley's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Hays was born May 9, 1917 in Benton Township to Roy & Mildred (Morgan) Hays. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1935. On September 8, 1940, he married the former Mary Margaret Helm in St. Joseph. Stanley served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He was employed at Whirlpool Corp., starting as their very first Mail Boy, and retiring as a systems analyst in 1982, after 44 years of employment. Stanley was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was a long-time Sunday School Teacher and choir member, and a member of the Whirlpool Old-Timers and Golden Eagles. Stan and Mary enjoyed summer vacations with the family traveling the US, and after retirement, enjoyed traveling to many countries in Europe. He also enjoyed many good times at the family cottage on Bear Lake which included boating and fishing. Stanley is survived by two sons-Dwight (Donna) Hays of Watervliet, James (Linda) Hays of Sodus; six grandchildren-Dawn (Robert) Slocum, David (Terrie) Hays, Darin (Sarah) Hays, Deborah (Rodney) Reese, Michael (Becky) Hays, Christopher Hays; twelve great-grandchildren-Jeremy, Autum, Courtney, MyKayla, Dustin, Devin, Dylin, Cheyanne, MacKenzie, Zachary, Madison, Alana; his sister-in-law-Florence Jones of Abilene, TX; numerous nieces & nephews; and wonderful friends-Shirley Johnson, Georgia Miller, John Conrad & Clare Musgrove. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary on February 3, 2009, and by three siblings-Chetwyn & Dwight Hays, and Mildred Ailes.