Phillip Robert Hayes passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2024 after a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer. He was 73 years old. Visitation will be held at Pape Funeral Home on Thursday, April 4 from 4p-7p. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Prince of Peace Parish with burial to follow at St. Irenaeus cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Phillip “Phil” Robert Hayes was born on March, 22, 1951 in Canton, Ohio to Robert and Julia (Balou) Hayes. When Phil was a junior in high school, the family relocated to Camanche, Iowa. Phil graduated from Camanche High School in 1969. He went on to earn a degree in history and education from the University of Northern Iowa. On June 25, 1976 he married Ellen Vens. To this union three daughters were born: Jennifer (Hayes) Miller, Emily (Hayes) McCollum and Sarah Hayes.
On May 22, 1987, Phil was united in marriage to Mary Thornton Dermody. With this union, Phil gained four children: Katie (Dermody) Kuehl, Kelly (Dermody) Fox, John Dermody and James Dermody. Blending their family of seven children, Phil coined their family the Clinton Brady Bunch.
Phil worked in the auto industry as a sales advisor at McEleney Motors and later at John Keady. He spent the last 14 years of his career as a claims adjuster at Sentry Insurance. After their retirements in 2014, Phil and Mary loved traveling to visit their children and grandchildren across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Arizona, California and Texas. It was during a trip to California that Phil’s granddaughter, Grace, gave him the nickname “Grumpy.” This nickname stuck and Phil began sporting “Grumpy” shirts whenever he wasn’t on the golf course.
Phil was an active member in Prince of Peace Parish where he and Mary enjoyed sharing their experiences of blending their family with other couples who were embarking on the same journey.
Phil was an avid golfer, woodworker and gardener. Phil was a member of the Fulton Country Club and enjoyed teaching others his favorite sport. Following in his father’s shoes, Phil was a skilled woodworker. He took pride in his projects, and you can find his work displayed throughout the homes of his family and friends. Phil was a master gardener, always putting his children and grandchildren to work in the garden. He loved history, trivia and inserting humor into conversation whenever possible. Phil’s love for life, quick wit and golf lessons will be incredibly missed.
Phil is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Thornton Hayes of Clinton, IA; seven children: Sarah Hayes of a tour bus somewhere in North America, Emily (Joseph) McCollum of Sac City, IA, Jennifer Hayes Miller of Byron, IL, James (Natalie) Dermody of Cypress, TX, John (DeAnna) Dermody of Clive, IA, Kelly (Brent) Fox of Long Beach, CA, and Katie Kuehl of Cedar Rapids, IA; 13 grandchildren: Elissa and Cameron Miller, Sam, Abby and Alex Dermody, Zach, Lizzie and Matthew Dermody, Grace and Hannah Osier, Kyle (Chelsee) Dermody, Allison and Emily Kuehl; 1 great grandchild; Kellen Hayes Dermody; sister Barbara Fry of East Sparta, OH, brothers Robert (Debbie) Hayes of Massillon, OH, Bill Hayes of East Sparta, OH, Michael (Sandra) Hayes of Clinton, IA; brother-in-law Dan Thornton and sister-in-law Joanne Thornton; numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy, niece Denise, nephew Kenny, brother’s-in-law, Chuck Thornton and Richard Thornton; sister-in-law Ruth Van Loo. The family would like to express their gratitude for the incredible care Phil received from the medical teams of MercyOne, the University of Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Alverno Skilled Care Unit. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Phil’s name to American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
To Mary and family, I Amy deeply saddened by this news of Phil dying. I am grateful for the years of happiness you shared and for knowing you have many memories of love and laughter as a family. May God help to ease your sorrow. Blessings to you all.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers
Mary and family, my heartfelt condolences. I know that Phil was deeply loved by you all and his passing came all too soon. May you know the kind of comfort that comes only from the God who loves you immensely.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers
Mary and family I am so sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. I worked with Phil for many years at John Keady and he was always a compassionate professional when working with people. My prayers are with you and your family. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Al, Phil loved his time at John Keady. He made many good friends. Your kind words are greatly appreciated. God bless.
Mary & family, sending my sympathy & prayers for you. May God give you comfort in your loss. It was so good to work with Phil & Mary at McEleney’s long ago. Happy memories.
Martha, Phil was very happy to have a friend in you! Your kind words are appreciated. We’ve been given an amazing life, and I can’t imagine it without him. I do know, however he is no longer suffering.
So very sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. We will miss golfing with him. Sending our sincerest sympathy and keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Nancy, Phil enjoyed golfing with you!! He was looking forward to the season ahead, but that was not meant to be. When he realized he wasn’t going to get better missing golf was definitely on his mind. Thank you for your kind. Thoughts and prayers!
Mary – so sorry for this loss to your family. We all send our sympathy and hugs.
Vicky, thank you so much for your kind words on the loss of our wonderful husband, Dad , Grandpa And great grandpa! We have been very blessed to have this wonderful man in our lives!
Mary and family, Tim and I send our condolences and prayers to you all. Phil always brought a smile! Blessings always!
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE HAYES FAMILY AND PHIL WILL BE MISS.
Mary, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated on the loss of this very special man! He was an amazing husband, Father, grandpa and great grandpa!
Matt, thank you so much for your kind words. Phil was truly a very special guy and will be missed by so many. So grateful For our wonderful neighbors!
Thank you Mary. your prayers and kindness are appreciated. And cry because he’s gone but I smile because he was here. I was so very blessed to have him in my llife!
So sorry for the loss of your father Emily. My deepest sympathy for your grievance. I know you loved him dearly. Peace my friend to Joey, and your family.
Mary, our sympathy to you & all your family. May you all be comforted by all your happy memories. Mary & Chuck Swanson
Thank you so much for your kindness and prayers! He will be missed by us all as he was one in 1 million. Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Mary, I was saddened to learn of Phil’s passing. What a fine man Phil was. I enjoyed very much my time at McEleney’s because I could count on people like you and Phil seeing to it that my clients left happy because they were given great service and attention. Those were good times. May your faith sustain you as you adjust to life without Phil. You and your family will be in my prayers.
To the Hayes family, may Phil continue to fill your hearts with love and laughter in his memories. He will surely be missed by many!
Jennifer, thank you so much for your kind words. He will be missed by many.
A beautifully written tribute to a life well lived. May his memory be a blessing.
Mary and family: Phil was a really wonderful person. I enjoyed his sense of humor in school. He will be missed at class reunions. Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Phil.
Jon, Purl, Troy, Logan, and Carley Weber
Hazelwood, MO (formerly of Clinton and Clinton. Once an Indian, always an Indian.)
Thank you Jon For your very kind words! Phil had many good stories of his years as a Comanche Indian! Even though he was only with your class for a year and a half he felt like he made very good friendships. Thank you so much.
Mary so sorry for your familys loss.I know he will be so missed by you all.Thoughts and prayers.
Sharon, thank you So much for your thoughts and prayers and your beautiful card
Mary and family, I am so sorry about your loss. I’m sure re he will be greatly missed.
Pat, thank you so much for your sympathy and the loss of a wonderful husband, dad, granddad and great granddad!
Mary and families I am sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. He fought.the good fight till our Lord called him home. He lives on in your ???? forever. May God bless you all.
Lynn, thank you for your kind words. He will truly live in our hearts forever!