Obituary of John Southard Hays
John Southard Hays was born on October 8, 1946 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was one of three children born to the union of Joseph and Vera (Southard) Hays. John attended Indiana Joint High School in Indiana, Pennsylvania where he graduated on June 8, 1965. Shortly after high school on July 7, 1965 John enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in England and Africa before being sent to the Middle East during the Sixth Day War. On July 6, 1971 John was Honorably Discharged from the military.
In 1978 John moved his family from Orlando, Florida to Erie, Michigan, so his now ex-wife could be closer to her mother. John was blessed with two daughters and two sons. To provide for his family John obtained employment through Libby Glass and Daimler-Chrysler working as a machinist. John worked for over twenty-eight years before retiring. He was a proud member of UAW Local 12, the Indian Motorcycle club, the National Rifle Association, and the American Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed traveling and being on the road whether he was in Rome, Europe or Mexico riding down the Devils Spine on one of his motorcycles. He loved animals, especially his cat Yeow. John enjoyed simple things in life like sitting on his front porch sipping his whiskey and smoking a cigar. John wasn’t afraid to stir the pot on occasion and had a “steel trap mind” who could remember everything and everyone, but could never keep a secret. He was a man who would give you the shirt off his back and often said “money is just a tool.” John cherished the times spent with family and friends, and on Friday the day before John passed away, he planned an impromptu living memorial at his home with his family.
John Southard Hays, age 77 of Erie, Michigan passed away peacefully sitting on his front porch Saturday August 24, 2024 with his family near his side. His passing was preceded by his parents; Joseph and Vera Hays; his infant son; Joseph E. Hays and his sister; Ann Sewell.
To Cherish John’s memory, he leaves behind his two daughters; Christina Johnson of Erie, Michigan, and Kerry Ann (Jason) Anetrini of St. Clair Shores, Michigan; one son: Thomas (Tammy) Hays of Ottawa Lake, Michigan. One brother; Robert Hays of Eastpointe, Michigan and six grandchildren; Connor Johnson and Guinevere Johnson, both of Erie, Michigan; Brogan Hawkins-Hays of St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Samantha Royce of Midland, Michigan; Jessica Schliska of Saginaw, Michigan and Noah Sanders of Midland, Michigan. Four great grandchildren, Declan Schliska and Ruby Schliska, both of Saginaw, Michigan, and Brooklyn Lange and Grant Fischer, both of Midland, Michigan.
No public services are planned at this time. John’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133. (734)317-7199. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.
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