Melvin N Hayward, age 85, passed away at 11:35 a.m., Sunday July 31, 2022 at Quaker Hill Manor, Lowell, Kansas following an illness.
Mr Hayward was born Dec. 2, 1936 in Galena, Kansas. His parents were Clarence and Climena Sue (Lamb) Hayward. He was a lifetime resident of Galena.
Melvin graduated from Galena High School with the class of 1954. He finished his education by earning a Master degree in counseling at Pittsburg State University. He taught for three years at Metz, Missouri. It was there he met his future bride. He then began teaching biology at Galena High School in 1962 and later became the school counselor until his retirement in 1993. His 33-year tenure at Galena schools also included several seasons of assistant coaching football and head basketball coach.
He was an active member of Crossroads Christian Church, Baxter Springs, Kansas where he volunteered countless hours working with various ministries and projects. He and his wife also volunteered at Spring River Christian Village and American Rehabilitation Ministry in Joplin, Missouri. He was a former member of the Galena Lions Club. Melvin enjoyed golfing, fishing, doing lawn care, and attended as many of his grandkids’ activities as possible.
Melvin was married to Fredda M Campbell on Aug. 10, 1963 in Joplin, Missouri. She survives.
Additional survivors include two sons, Mike Hayward (Laura), Ozark, Missouri and Mark Hayward (Jennie) Independence, Kansas; three sisters, Charlene Stockton, Edwina Morey and Donna Sue Ryon all of Galena; and 5 grandchildren, Myka Hawkins (Thomas), Caden Hayward (Shayla), Sawyer Hayward, Cannon Hayward, and Jayci Hayward.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild, Christian Hayward, one brother, Marion Hayward and three brothers-in-law, Louie Stockton, Tom Morey and Rob Ryon.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 at the Galena High School PAC, Galena, Kansas. Cameron Woodring will officiate. Burial will be in Hill crest Cemetery, Galena, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroad Christian Church Outreach Ministries or American Rehabilitation Ministry in care of the funeral home.
