O'Rafferty High Senior Class of 1965
Mike Hayes

 


(September 6, 1947 - August 6, 2019)

Michael Francis Hayes, age 71, of DeWitt, Michigan passed away on Tuesday August 6, 2019. Michael was born September 6, 1947 to Frank and Josephine (Noice) Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Richard and Stella Wenzlick; and sister-in-law, Michelle Wenzlick. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Becky (Wenzlick) Hayes; daughters, Josephine Francis, and Stella Marie; siblings, Mary Jo (Tim) Bremer, Maureen (Rick) Shipley, Patrick (Terry) Reno-Hayes, Margie (Bob) Miller, Amy (Mike Hansen) Hayes, and Ann (Mike) Shields; in-laws, Tim Wenzlick, Linda (Ken) Hatch, Mary (Brett) Claxton, Nancy (Rick) Santel, Diann (Gordy) Hunsaker, Carol (Ken) Wreggelsworth, Don (Vicki) Wenzlick, Jim (Katie Fisher) Wenzlick; and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was a graduate of O'Rafferty Catholic High School in Lansing, MI, and he proudly served in the United States Marine Corp as a young man. He was a very respected business man in the Lansing and DeWitt communities, through his leadership at FD Hayes Electric, Matrix Consulting Engineers, and Scoopy Doo's. Mike was the most giving and loving person you would have ever known. He volunteered at the St. Gerard community dinners for over 25 years. It didn't matter how much pain he was experiencing, Mike never missed a single dinner with his St. Gerard family. He was a founding member of the Christ United Church family in DeWitt. Mike was an avid supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, a lover of nature, and had a very strong, undying faith in God. The things he held close to his heart were his relationships with people. He truly loved every person he came into contact with. Mike always found the good in everyone. Everybody loved him and valued his friendship. They loved his sense of humor, goofiness, passion, loyalty and his love of life. Mike loved music and singing, although he was not very good at it. Everyone loved to hear him sing, play his harmonica and watch him dance. He also loved to read and was a huge fan of James Bond and Star Trek. He loved to camp, hike and be outdoors. Mike had many wonderful adventures early in life, such as his traveling and sailing. But to him his life really began when he found his soul mate, and they started their family together. He was a loving and giving husband and an outstanding dad. He got up every morning and made breakfast for his girls and was there every evening to kiss them goodnight. He participated in every aspect of his daughters' lives, including their Girl Scouting, schooling, sports and activities. Mike loved every minute of it.

Services will be held on Monday, August 12th. Please arrive at 1 p.m. to enjoy a walk through the life of Michael at St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 East Main St., DeWitt, MI 48820. Following the walk, Military Honors will be presented, and a Celebration of Life will start at 2:30 p.m. Family has asked that you please dress accordingly because the Celebration will take place outside.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or visit www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

  


Email Comments:

8/6/19-A sad day, my ‘ol buddy Michael Hayes is gone; he passed away after a short illness last night. The world will be a little darker without his smile and loving personality. Mike Magnotta

That's terrible news for all of us. Mike was such a good guy and friend to us all. God bless him. Joe Daly
So sad. Mike was a good friend. Being lucky enough to go to school with him, play sports, work with and for and feed the poor on holidays at St. Gerard I will miss him greatly. RIP Mike Hayes. The family will be in my prayers. Mike Heiler
Such sad news. Like you all, I remember his smile and loving personality. A salute to his parents for raising such a wonderful son. Evelyn Flynn
We are saddened to hear the news about Mike. I know Jack was saying how the Hayes Family and Jack’s Family were such Good Friends Growing Up. With So Many Wonderful Memories.
And we all have Such Fun Memories From High School with Mike….Happy Guy for Sure !!

Mike and his wife have 2 daughters. Jesus Keep Your Arms Around Them and also to Mike’s sisters and brother Pat.

Mike will be Missed Greatly !!

We all know that Life is Fragile……Make Today Be Amazing Dear Classmates.

Love, Hugs and Tears coming to Everyone
Jack and Noella

I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He has been such a special friend thru the years. So many memories of Pinky in high school and after high school. My husband lived with him and was in the Marines with him in 66 and 67. Thank you for the great times dear friend! As Noella said, carpe diem, we just lost another great guy this year. Praying for Mike's family during this tragic time.

Love You All,

Sandy Walters Rich


Such a sad day. I have such fond memories of Mike in high school. The years may have flown by, but I’m sure Mike never lost his wonderful smile, nor his warm, winning personality.

Love to you all and to Mike’s family.

Denise (Gloden) Kilbury


The Mike Hayes I knew was not above high jinks.

When the rickety team bus broke down en route to a football game in Dansville coach Pozega ordered everyone off with instructions to hitchhike the rest of the way. In full uniform the team went chockablock into whatever vehicles stopped to help out. Mike and I ended up in someone's trunk next to a spare tire, a bag of donuts and a gallon of cider. We arrived intact. I cannot say the same for the cider and donuts.

The night before Mike left for basic training he proposed that his farewell party conclude with a dip in the IM pool at MSU. The motion passed and Mike led the charge up and over the chain link fence and into the pool. I explained the reason for trespass to the leader of the cleaning crew who kindly stood by while we took a lap then used his thumb to draw attention to the lights of a police cruiser bowling down Wext Shaw Lane and quietly suggested we vamoose.

It was not all fun and games. The night Bobby Kennedy was assassinated Mike called me at home to gently break the news. We reminisced about that awful night in 1968 just a couple months ago at Scoopy's.

Mike was a good friend to have during those tumultuous times. So long old B.

Bruce Miller


Oh my gosh, I just read this e-mail. How very, very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and his family. God Bless them.

Sandy (Lortie) DeView

I didn't hang around with Mike in high school...….but I did sit behind him in either 9th or 10th grade Latin class at St. Mary's…...It was Sister Francis Regina's class......Mike would punch himself in the chest and put his hand on his back and turn around and scowl at me like I had hit him in the back!......Everyone in the class knew what had happened, except Sister.....she would come to my desk and rap her ruler on the desk and yell at me for hitting him!......It was hilarious to everyone but me! ...He got away with it many times!......I ran into him quite a few years ago after Linda Slucter had passed and we had a nice 15 minute chat about lots of things and Linda. I can't make the Service tomorrow....but wish you all well and may the LORD BLESS AND KEEP MIKE ALWAYS!......most sincerely …...Don Mueller
Sorry to here we lost Mike......Remember first day roll call at O'Rafferty when sister realized she had six GOOD Mike's in her class. Her comment was "all I have to do is say STOP IT MIKE and I will have no problems in here!

Mike Hanlon

I'm so sorry to hear that Mike Hayes is no longer with us. He was a great guy and a very positive part of our high school experience. His smile filled a room. My heart and deepest condolences go out to his family.
Bruce, I loved your two stories. Thank you for sharing such fun times in fond memory of Mike.

Maureen Holmes


 

Photos from Mike Hayes Funeral at the DeWitt Retreat Center 


Walking down a path thru the woods to see his memories


Mike was a Marine!

Some recent family photos

Bruce, Gay, Sandy & Ken look at the family photos.

Mike's urn & the family photo.

Close up of the family photo. Daughters Josephine and Stella, Mike & Becky

It was a large gathering of people who attended

It started with a military presentation. Two marines unfolded the US flag.

Then a military gun salute to Mike.

The marines refolded the flag and presented it to Mike's wife Becky.

We sat in the shade.

The Pastor from Mike's church told of how Mike touched so many lives. He told what a special person Mike was.

We had a O'Rafferty group photo after the service. L-R: Mike Magnotta, Mike Sandborn, Joe Daly, Noella (Garmin) Maloney, Sandy (Walters) Rich, Jack Maloney, Bruce Werner, Mike Heiler, Gay (Madden) Seyka, Ken Seyka & Gene Klco.