Obituary of Ethelene Hays

Ethelene Hays, 91, of Girard, passed away Tuesday morning, January 14, 2020 at Pleasant Dale Place in Girard, IL. Ethelene was born on November 25, 1928 to Curtis and Iva (Hamner) Deatherage in North Otter Township, rural Girard, IL. On November 26, 1949 she married Raymond L. Hays in Carlinville, IL. He preceded her in death on February 22, 2010, having been married for 60 years. Ethelene started working at the age of 13 as a live-in nanny for a family in Springfield. She would ride the interurban train, stay the week and come home on weekends. Raymond and Ethelene started farming and raising cattle right after they married. Ethelene drove all the equipment, becoming one of the best. She kept everyone who came to bale hay, cut corn out of beans or other farm jobs, fed very well. She was always busy as a farmers' wife. In 1970, she started a career driving a school bus for Girard Unit #3 School District. She first drove a regular route and then started the CACC and SASED route to Springfield. Ethelene drove for 27 years, retiring in 1997. She never missed her grandchildrens sporting events and was a proud grandmother. Ethelene was a true Big Red fan. Through the years she has enjoyed gardening, waterskiing, snowmobiling, bus trips, square dancing, playing cards, and life in general. Ethelene is survived by her, daughter, Debra Burnett of Girard, IL; son, Curt (Patty) Hays of Girard, IL; four grandsons, Phil (Beshka) Burnett, Chad (Sara Millward) Burnett, Nick (Shannon) Hays, and Taylor (Kristin) Hays; granddaughter, Katie (Tylor) Burrow; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Ethelene was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Iva Deatherage; husband, Raymond L. Hays; great-grandson, Reddick Powell; and sister, Dorothy Head-Eades. Visitation will be held Friday, January 17, 2020, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Girard, IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, 10:00 am at the funeral home, with Steve Ford, officiating. Burial will take place in the Union Chapel Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Girard Fire and Rescue or the Girard Community Center.