Leslie Leroy Hays, age 86, of Monmouth, il passed away in the early hours of November 22,2021 after a battle with covid 19.
Leslie was born the youngest of 8 children in 1935 to Roy Edward hays and Francis Gaylor hays in Keithsburg, IL he completed the 8th grade, then worked on the farm. He enlisted in the army in 1956. He served in Korea twice as a Combat Construction Specialist and Forman. Prior to his discharge, he was a mess cook. Leslie served many omlettes to family and friends over the years. While in the army he met and married his wife of 52 years, Mary Anna Thomas Hays (deceased) in Maryland in 1959. They were married for 52 years. They had 7 children together and Leslie had 2 children from an earlier marriage. They later welcomed into their home a niece. Leslie enjoyed the benefit of his large family. He loved to fish, especially night fishing which was code for a night on one of the Mississippi islands. He also did a lot of drag racing both cars and motorcycles at the Pocano raceway in the mid 60’s. Leslie worked on construction, drove a bus in East Saint Louis, after his discharge from the army in 1961. Leslie began working as an electrician in the early 70’s. He handled the electrical work for the Prime Beef Festival every year since the mid 70’s. He also enjoyed the monthly luncheons with “the cousins”.
Surviving Leslie are 3 sons, Mark and Becky Hays of New London, Iowa, Steven Hays of Macomb, Brian and Amy Hays of Kirkwood and 3 daughters, Cathy and Tim Roberts of Colchester, Ann and Jerry Lauber of Winfield, Iowa, and Lisa and Tony Miraglia of Peoria. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and numerous great and great great grandchildren. Leslie is preceded in death by his 4 brothers and 3 sisters, Edward, Clinton, Delvin, Raymond, and Olive, Helen, and Francis. He also lost 4 sons, Leslie Jr., Michael(Oquawka) wife Lisa, Robert (North Carolina) wife Kathy, and Curtis (Texas) wife Sherry. He also lost a beloved daughter in law, Melissa Hays.
A funeral mass for Leslie l. Hays is planned on Wednesday December 1, 2021 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg, Illinois. A visitation will be at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday November 30, 2021. Military honors will follow the mass at the church and cremation will then be accorded.
