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Beverly J. Hayes 1938-2020

INDIANAPOLIS — Beverly Jean Hayes, 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in peace and comfort with family by her side, after a long courageous endurance of Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on July 11, 1938, in Youngstown, the daughter of Eugene and Jeanette Baumiller Wilson. Raised in Fowler, she would recount her warm memories of time spent on her grandparents orchard and growing up in small-town America during and after the World War II years.

Graduating from Bliss secretarial college in Cleveland, after high school, in 1959 she married Braden Hayes and together had five children. She worked throughout her life while raising her children including for Dr Paul Gerick in Saline, Mich. and ProQuest publishing in Ann Arbor, Mich. An early advocate for people with Downs syndrome, she refused to place her infant daughter in an institution, upon the advice of physicians during the early 1960s, and raised her along with the family. A friend to many, including her best friend Patty, she always had a warm welcoming smile and often could be heard humming a tune. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, her family and grandchildren,various beloved pets and traveling abroad.

Surviving children are Timothy Hayes of Indianapolis, Ind., Thomas (Michelle) Hayes also of Indianapolis, Connie (Robert) Ducharme of Bedford, Texas and Paula Hayes of Manchester, Mich.

She is survived by her 10 grandchildren, Timothy and Lillian Hayes, Owen, Samantha and Nathan Hayes, Julian, Bobby, Lucian and Bonnie Ducharme, and Allison Bash; and her two brothers, Harold Wilson of Fowler, Ohio and Gary Wilson of Warren,Ohio. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Her daughter, Charlyn Hayes, preceded her in death.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Beverly’s life will take place at a future date. The family thanks the staff at Traditions at Solana Memory Care Unit in Indianapolis for taking excellent care of their mother and Heartland Hospice for providing loving support to Beverly and her family.

In remembrance of Beverly, the family requests you never miss that opportunity to travel, visit the friend or relative you haven’t seen for awhile and be joyful and kind in life.

(special notice)