Norma Jean Hayes, 71, of Leesburg, died at 1:52 a.m. Jan. 7, 2012, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
She was born Oct. 14, 1940, in Muncie, to Harold L. and Mildred P. Miller Reeves. On July 15, 1960, in Muncie, she married Allen K. Hayes, who survives.
She graduated from Burris High School, Muncie, in 1958, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1962 and a master’s degree in 1971, both from Ball State University. She moved to Leesburg from Muncie in 1979.
Most recently she was secretary and organist for Leesburg United Methodist Church. She formerly was a substitute teacher in Syracuse and Warsaw; taught at Bashor Home, Goshen; was co-owner of Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner from 1979-91; and was an elementary teacher in Elwood and Selma from 1963-78.
She was director of the children’s choir at Leesburg United Methodist Church and an accompanist for “The Willows” (a gospel quartet). She loved the lake and riding on the pontoon. She was an avid reader and enjoyed entertaining.
Also surviving are two sons, James (and spouse Susan) Hayes, Leesburg, and John K. Hayes (and Melanie Maynard), Celeste, Texas; five grandchildren: Carman, Harrison, Cheyenne, Indiana and Keaton; her mother, Mildred Reeves Rollin Lounsbury, Muncie; and two sisters, Mary Alice Austin, Highland, and Judith Ann (and spouse Ned) Emshwiller, Muncie. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold L. Reeves, and a brother-in-law, Jim Austin.
Services will be private.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.
***** Memorials may be made to the K21 Health Foundation – Cancer Care Fund, P.O. Box 1810, Warsaw, IN 46581-1810.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
