Hayden Whitfield

Hayden Tyler Whitfield, 23, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 3. 2016. He was born February 2, 1993 in Westerville, Ohio. He was a graduate of Westerville North High school and obtained his bachelor’s Degree in Economics, graduating magna cum laude with honors from Florida State University. Hayden spent the last 8 months working for Fortegra Financial in Jacksonville, FL in their leadership development program.

There are not enough words to describe Hayden. He was a source of inspiration for many. Hayden was talented, smart, genuine, goal oriented, soft spoken, humble, giving and selfless. Hayden dedicated his life to helping others, whether it was lifting up a friend going through a hard time, or taking a hungry stranger to lunch for a warm meal and to listen to their story.

Hayden spent a summer in Peru volunteering with the Seeds of Hope program where he helped impoverished children achieve academic and social success. Hayden completed three Ironman triathlons and multiple marathons. He was always driven to excel in everything he did.

Hayden is survived by his parents, Beth and Carl Phillips; his father, Ty Whitfield; Sister, Jennica (Tripp) Plaskett; his soon to be new nephew, John Michael Plaskett IV; maternal grandparents, Gloria and Steve Walker; paternal grandparents, James and Cheryl Whitfield; aunt and uncle, Debbie and Robert Walker and his cousins Trenton, Jared and Cole Walker; aunts, uncles and cousins, Ryan Whitfield and family, Kim Jackson and Family, and Eddie Phillips and Family. He is also survived by many other great aunts, uncles and second cousins who loved him greatly.

Hayden is predeceased by his great grandparents, Vincent and Ann Kinehan; and grandparents Edgar and Barbara Phillips.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Monday, February 15, 2016 at Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High Street in Worthington, where Hayden’s life will be honored at his Funeral Service, which will be held, 12 Noon on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Seeds of Hope so we can help enable another student to make an impact like Hayden has. You can do this by donating online to http://www.omprakash.org/partner_donation?partner_id=51 . Please be sure to include “In Hayden’s Honor” in the notes section of your donation. (Envelopes will be available at the funeral home).

“It is better to have a meaningful life and make a difference than to merely have a long life,” Bryant H. McGill.