Earl L. Hayes

Earl Lee Hayes, 89, of Pilot Grove, passed away Friday, October 30, 2020, at the Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.

Born May 8, 1931, in Clear Creek, he was the youngest of three children of Arthur and Trellis (Drennen) Hayes.

Earl was a 1950 graduate of Pilot Grove High School. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. He served two years, earning the rank of Corporal. He was a life member of American Legion Post 266, where he was past commander. In appreciation for his service, Earl was blessed with the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight.

As a young man, Earl got into the milk business. Life would then lead him to Arizona and then back to Missouri. He had worked as a carpenter as they built the Hearnes Center in Columbia and retired from Interstate Bakery in Boonville, where he worked as a transport driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Union.

On August 13, 1977, at the Pilot Grove Community Church, he was united in marriage to Doris J. (Frieling).

Earl was a lifelong member of the Pilot Grove Community Church, where he had served on the board of directors and as treasurer.

He enjoyed tinkering with old cars, trucks and lawn mowers. He liked to travel and had been on a cruise and made numerous trips out west.

Surviving are his wife, Doris, of the home; a daughter, Jeanne Foster (Bill), of Conway, AR; a son, Tracy Hayes (Nancy), of Phoenix, AZ; a stepson, Kevin Shumate (Rose), of Kansas City; five grandchildren; two step-granddaughters; eleven great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Virginia Stoecklein and Ruth Niece.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Meisenheimer Funeral Home in Pilot Grove, with Pastor Paul Weisenborn officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Those attending are kindly asked to wear a mask.

Casket bearers will be Todd Hayes, Travis Foster, Timothy Hayes, Brent Kahle, Jim Brownfield and Mike Barnes.

Honorary bearers will be Ray Quick, C.R. Kammerich and Don Carey.

Burial will be at a later date at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Pilot Grove Community Church or American Legion Post 266.

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