Submitted by: Dan Rich

Merlin Cassle Hayes

March 11, 1916 - May 9, 2000

South Bend Tribune 5/12/2000

Merlin Cassle Hayes, 84, of Bow Court, South Bend, Ind., passed away after an extended illness at 3:44 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hayes was born on March 11, 1916, in Barnesville, Ohio, and had lived in the South Bend area since 1945, coming from Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Hayes was retired from the Kreamo Bakery where he worked from 1947-1997 as a maintenance engineer.

On Nov. 24, 1971, in South Bend, Mr. Hayes married Juanita Keller, who passed away on March 21, 1987. He was also preceded in death by his son, Leroy Hayes in 1990; and by a sister, Eunice DePew. Mr. Hayes is survived by his daughter, Eddyth Di Loreto of Tres Pinos, Calif.; three sisters, Hilda Bowers of Toledo, Ohio, Melba Waller of Canton, Ohio, and Janice Bezzosie of Urhrichville, Ohio; and by four grandchildren.

Mr. Hayes graduated from Ohio State University in 1941 with a B.S. in stationary engineering. Mr. Hayes was an honorary member of the Rotary Club International of Roseland, was a member of the National Association of Power Engineers and past president, and did church visitation volunteer work for Zion United Church of Christ where he was a member.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, in the Zion United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Manning officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or to the American Heart Association. The Welsheimer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.