STILLMAN VALLEY – Emery L. Hayes, age 88, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at his home in Stillman Valley. He was born Dec. 31, 1932 near Kings, Illinois the son of Earl and Amy (Lathrop) Hayes.
Emery attended Kings Schools and graduated from Stillman Valley High School. He married Jeannine Tegner on March 23, 1968 at Grace Lutheran Church in Loves Park. She preceded him in death on April 17, 2021. He was a lifelong farmer in the White Rock area prior to his retirement when he then moved to Stillman Valley. Emery served his country in the US Army during the Korean War and was a life member of the Rochelle VFW Post 3878, the Stillman Valley American Legion, and the Rochelle Wildlife Conservation Club. He previously served as an Elder at the Kings Presbyterian Church. He was a hard worker all his life. He enjoyed having coffee with the guys at the local restaurants and also taking road trips with his wife Jeannine.
He was predeceased by his parents, wife Jeannine, sister LaVonne Huebner and her husband Earl, and brother-in-law Pablo Chavez.
He is survived by his daughter Diane (Brian) Mills of Oregon, brother Lowell (Jeanne) Hayes of Kings, sister Adelaide Chavez of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Many Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 136 W. Roosevelt Road in Stillman Valley, with the Rev. Janet Wold pastor of the All Saints Lutheran Church in Byron officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please wear a mask to attend the service. Burial will be in the White Rock Cemetery near Kings. A memorial fund is established in Emery’s name and may be directed to the family. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or memory.