Merle Guy Hayden

Merle Guy Hayden, 94, of Davenport, went Home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday at the Runge Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1010 N. Clark Street, in Davenport. Interment, with military graveside rites, will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Davenport First Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

Mr. Hayden was born March 27, 1918 in Peru, Iowa, the son of Dennis and Mary (Sanders) Hayden. On February 23, 1941, he married Delores E. Dooley in Peru. During World War II he served in the United States Navy in the Southwest Pacific. He was employed for thirty years at the Rock Island Arsenal prior to his retirement. His memberships included the First Church of the Nazarene and American Legion Post 26, both of Davenport. He enjoyed being a one-man-band, playing the banjo, drums, and harmonica, simultaneously. His many grandchildren especially looked forward to his musical rendition of the “choo-choo train” at family gatherings. He also enjoyed woodworking and had completed many projects for his children and grandchildren. He was always ready to lend a helping hand at his church or to his family or many friends.

Survivors include his loving and faithful wife of seventy-one years, Delores; children and spouses: Elvin (Jake) and Judy Hayden, Judy and Bob Blowers, Harvey and Corlis Hayden, Phillip and Jill Hayden, and Carolyn and Jon Boyle; twenty-one grandchildren; forty-five great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, David, in 1998, his parents, and two sisters.