Gary Hayes, age 68, of Paris, Illinois passed away after fighting a courageous battle with cancer on the morning of August 5 ^th , 2021. He would not want anyone to be sad when thinking of his death but rather to remember him with a smile.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Thursday August 12, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 610 S. 6 ^th Street, Clinton, IN  47842.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Paris, IL

Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gary, who had a generous heart, was a loving husband to Kaye and a fun-loving father to Isaac. He enjoyed working hard at whatever he undertook. Loved yard work, fishing, plowing snow (at Edgar County Highway and IDOT), and diamond painting, giving away most of his artwork to friends and family.

He was born June 26, 1953 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of the late Jerry and Joanne Hayes. He married Kaye Ogle Hayes, she survives.

Gary is survived by his siblings: Karen (Jim) Kerrick of Paris, Illinois, Mary Ellen (Mike) Wilson of Paris, Illinois, Mike (Kathy) Hayes of Casey, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Gary requested memorials be made to E.C.C.F., Inc. Do-It Fund or Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center.