Doris Marie Hays

Doris Marie Hays was born Oct. 19, 1933, in Emington, the daughter of Frank and Lillian Jepson. She passed away Saturday (Oct. 31, 2015) in Chicago, at the age of 82. Doris married L. Francis Hays, on Feb. 18, 1950, at St. Mary's Church in Loretta. Mrs. Hays worked with her husband in business and owned her own business for many years. She was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary 9961 and served many offices during her 53-year membership, including department state treasurer from 1995 until retiring in 2009. She held the current chairmanship as VAVS representative at Illiana VA in Danville, and state hospital chairman. As a member of 9961, she served as treasurer. Mrs. Hays was also a member of Aroma Park American Legion 1019, Women of the Moose 145, Kankakee, Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary 37, Bloomington, and a life member of the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich. Mrs. Hays also worked on the Loyalty Day programs in the local schools for the past 40 years, was co-chairman for bringing the Moving Wall to Bradley, and reestablishing the Loyalty Day Parade in Bradley. Surviving are one son, Steven and daughter-in-law Sue, of West Chicago; four daughters, Deborah Gard, of Bourbonnais, Barbara Hinshaw, of Dunlap, Tenn., Francine Nelson and son-in-law Michael, of Momence, Pamela Graham and son-in-law Scott, of Bolingbrook; six grandsons, David and Daniel Olesinski, of Bourbonnais, Christopher Hays, of Aviston, Adrian Graham, of Bolingbrook, Douglas and Samuel Nelson, of Momence; six granddaughters, Kim Fuigel, of Lisle, Anna Barker, of Dekalb, Jennifer Dokken, of Clearwater, Fla., Stephanie Hays-Moore, of Dixon, Dawn Norwick, of Limestone, Kathleen Whipple, of Dunlap, Tenn.; and 23 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Robert Jepson, of Lake City, Fla. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; one daughter, Mary Jane Hays; and two sisters, Betty Martin and Theresa Grandpre. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Aroma Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Dept. of Illinois Cancer Aid and Research Fund or Hospital Fund.

Doris Marie Hays

October 19, 1933 - October 31, 2015