John Matthew Hayes

John Matthew Hayes, 64, of Ames, died at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, on Friday, September 24, 2010, following a long courageous battle with cancer. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames. A celebration of life service will be on Tuesday, September 28 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Burial will be in Ames Municipal Cemetery.

John Hayes was born January 22, 1946 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Laurence and Mary (Reardon) Hayes. He graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School in 1963. He received a BS degree in chemistry from Boston State College in 1967 and completed his PhD in chemistry from Boston University in 1974. He completed post-doctoral work in chemistry at Iowa State University.

He married Rita DiLullo on May 18, 1968. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict and was discharged from the Signal Corps in Hawaii with the rank of SP5.

He was employed at Iowa State University with Dr. Gerald Small and the Ames Lab for over 35 years. Following retirement, he served St. Cecilia Parish as Parish Director of Religious Education until the present time.

He was very active as a soccer referee and received the Volunteer of the Year award for his contributions to the Iowa Games. He was a volunteer and active supporter of WOI radio.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Hayes, of Ames; four children, David Hayes of Ames, Amy (Nathan) Wright, of Des Moines, Christina (Kevin) Uptain, of Edina, MN, and Joseph Hayes, of West Des Moines; four siblings, Larry, Ann, Kathy, and Jeanne, all of Massachusetts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Joseph.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Friendship Ark, Habitat for Humanity, St. Cecilia tuition assistance, or the Bliss Cancer Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.