Charley H. Hayes was born on April 4, 1921, in Nowata County, Okla., to Charley Hansford and Ola Virgie (Taylor) Hayes. He graduated from Delaware High School and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps 51st Wing 316 Division 36 Squadron from September 1942 to October 1945 in Egypt-Lybia, Naples-Foggia, Tunisia, Rome-Arno, Sicily, North France, Central Europe, Rhineland and Normandy. He received the Soldiers’ Medal, Unit CIT with 1 OLC, EAME Theater Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Charley married Betty Jones on June 8, 1947. They moved to Southeast Kansas in 1951 and to their present location east of Coffeyville in 1955. Charley was a dairyman and farmer prior to working at Funks. He raised cattle until recently and never really quit

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and active in many organizations including Twigbenders Sunday School class, Evening Lions Club of Coffeyville, Edna Masonic Lodge 345 AF&AM, Eastern Star, and American Legion No. 9. He was a lifetime member of VFW and director of Rural Water District No. 6 for 36 years.

Charley was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and Riverton flood repair. He was a Leib 4-H community leader, helped build Edna Methodist Church, donated blood and especially enjoyed helping with Earth Day. 

He retired from John Deere, formally known as Funks, in 1986.

Charley was active in attending school and sports events for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many years, he was a fixture at Labette County High School, Field Kindley High School and Coffeyville Community College Ravens games.

Survivors are his wife Betty of 65 years; two daughters, Carol Foster of Tulsa and Julie Foister of Edna; two sons, Keith and his wife, Terrie, of rural Coffeyville and Kent and his wife, Karen, of Columbia, Mo.; a brother, Bob of Miami, Okla; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; six brothers, Wayne, Carl, Ralph, Russell, Merle and Dale; and two sisters, Irene Jones and Martha Wilhite.

The family has entrusted Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel with the funeral services for Mr. Hayes. The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Pastor John Collins officiating. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family suggests that memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church or the CCC Foundation. Remembrances will be received at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be left at www.fordwulfbrunsfuneralhome.com.