Jack William Hayden
July 28, 1923-Dec. 21, 2005
Jack William Hayden, age 82, of 2695 Southway 31, Rochester, passed on to his eternal rest at 3:18 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, at Life Care Center, Rochester, where he had been a patient since February.
He was born July 28, 1923, in Montour Falls, New York, as the son of Norman F. and Louise C. Aldrich Hayden. He later moved with his family to Fulton County during his high school years and graduated from Akron High School in the class of 1940. Following graduation and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corp., where he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, in the 389th Bombardier Group stationed in England. During his service, he served as a bombardier aboard a B-24 Bomber and on his 30th mission he was shot down.
Upon his return to the United States after the war, he took Dolores E.
Anderson to be his bride on Feb. 10, 1946, in Indianapolis. They had lived
59 wonderful years together.
From their union came: a daughter, Melinda Burkett and husband Bill, of Rochester; two sons, Jack Hayden II and wife Karla, of Mentone; and Mark Hayden and wife Gail, of Rochester; seven grandchildren, Crissa Fruits and husband Ray, Jamie Hayden and wife Melissa, Mark Hayden Jr. and wife Misti, Gretchen Murphy and husband Erik, Andrea Burkett, Mandy Butcher and husband Jeff, and Allison Burkett; seven great-grandchildren and one stepgreat-granddaughter. He is also survived by a sister, June Sanders and husband Dick, of Cookesville, Tenn., and a brother, George Hayden and wife Dot, of Waterloo, Iowa, and several nephews, nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Gary; a sister, Betty Quick; and two brothers, Vincent and Tom.
Locally, he had been a loyal employee of the Sealed Power Corporation for 21 years. During his tenure with them, he had also served as the Union President for the United Auto Workers Union Local #221. Later, he had worked as a driver for Morgan Drive-Away and the Leisure Time Companies, both of Nappanee.
He loved sports. He was an avid bowler and he held the series record at Quick's Lanes, Rochester, from 1954-1970 with a 747 series. After retiring, he enjoyed hitting the links and golfing with family and friends. One of his most memorable occasions was when he hit his first whole in one. He had also coached the White Sox Little League team in Rochester for a number of years and he had been instrumental in the establishment of the Little League Ball Diamond at the Rochester City Park. Of all the pleasures and accomplishments he had experienced in his life, paramount were the times he enjoyed just being with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. today in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th Street, Indiana 14 West, Rochester, with Pastor Woody Slade officiating. Family and friends may call at the funeral home after noon today through the hour of services. He will be laid to rest in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester. The LeRoy Shelton American Legion Post 36 and the Manitou Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1349 will conduct military honors at the funeral home. Electronic condolences may be sent to the family at goodfamily@rtcol.com. The family has requested that memorials be made to the 1st Christian Church Building Fund in his memory.