GARY E. HAYDEN

Mr. Gary E. Hayden, 60, of 721 South 20th, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (May 29, 2007) on board the USS Boxer while traveling to San Diego, California. Gary was blessed with an exceptional opportunity to experience the day to day life of U.S. Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Boxer. He was an honored guest of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Battalion Landing Team 2/4); where he accompanied his son, Lance Corporal Matthew Hayden, during the final stage of his deployment home from Iraq.

Born January 22, 1947 in Quincy, Gary was the son of Elmer R. and Donna I. Van Liew Hayden. He married Virginia "Jenny" Curtis on November 13, 1982 in Quincy. She survives.

Gary was a member of Luther Memorial Church and Quincy Masonic Lodge No. 296. He enjoyed reading, especially history and military related books, and his NASCAR driving experiences.

Gary worked in construction for many years with Hayden-Wiemelt Construction and V & E Builders. In 1996 he founded Hayden Construction which he operated until a couple of years ago. He is currently employed by Hesse Builders.

Survivors include his wife, Jenny; a daughter, Kerry Smith and her husband CWO3 Aaron Smith with the U. S. Marine Corps stationed in Murrieta, CA.; a son LCpl Matthew Hayden and his fiance', Jennifer Black with the U. S. Marine Corps stationed in San Diego, CA.; his mother, Donna Hayden Neece and her husband Keith of Quincy; a step daughter, Elizabeth Jackson and her husband Mathew of Quincy; a step son, Timothy J. Doellman and his fiance' Amanda Havermale of Quincy; three grandchildren, Ashley Smith and Hailey Smith both of Murrieta, CA. and William Matthew Hayden of Quincy; two sisters, Trudy Hoskins and her husband Allan of Venice, FL. and Cindy Yuchs and her husband David of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hayden was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Hayden.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Leland Uden. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 and Friday until the time of services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the USO, the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society or the National D-Day Museum.