Kenneth Dean Hays, 89, of Bedford, died Thursday, February 5, 2026, at his residence.
Born February 2, 1937, in Smithville, IN, he was the son of Everett and Cloffa (Branham) Hays. He married Eva Darlene Stines on March 1, 1963, and she preceded him in death on April 23, 2015. He retired as a tester from RCA in 1997. Kenneth was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1960 after achieving the rank of Airman 2 nd Class.
Survivors include three sons: Kirk Dean (Melissa) Hays, Everett Herschel (Crystal) Hays, and Kenneth Duane (Melanie) Hays, all of Bedford; two daughters: Barbara Denise (Mike) Staker of Hanover, and Violet Lynnette (Albert) Reynolds of Bedford; 14 grandchildren: Joshua Dylan Hays, Gabriel Donovan Hays, Brittany Jo Hall, Joseph Paul DeWees, Savannah Rae (Matt) Howard, Thomas Benjamin (Emma) Staker, Zachary Ezra (Jasure) Staker, Chad Michael (Ashley) Reynolds, Joseph Albert Dean (Megan) Reynolds, Everett Herschel Hays II, Ross Eli Hays, Sarah Lynn (Colten) Bundy, Kenneth Zane Hays, Kaleb Duane Hays; 6 great grandchildren: Gage Hall, Bryce Mitchell, Garrett Reynolds, Eva Laine Reynolds, Ezra Bundy, Grayson Hernandez; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Eva, three sisters: Doris Hamm, Loretta Sisson, and Juanita Deckard, and two brothers, Donald Hays and Clarence Hays.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bedford, with Bishop Webb presiding and Will Ray conducting. Military rites will be accorded by members of the American Legion Gillen Post #33. Burial will follow in the Clear Creek Cemetery in Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
