KENNETH VAN "KEN" HAYS, age 91, of Washington CH, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Four Seasons of Washington where he had resided for the past year.

He was born on April 14, 1931, in Eagle Pass, Texas to the late Tom and Hellen (McMillon) Hays. He was a graduate of Van Buren High School located in Van Buren, Indiana. Ken proudly served his country in the US Navy for twenty-one consecutive years during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. After his retirement from the US Navy, he became the Fayette County ROTC Chief at the Washington High School. Ken was also a driver for Fayette County Community Action for many years. He enjoyed coaching basketball and little league baseball, drinking a cold Pepsi and smoking a pipe, spending time with his family, and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Grace Katherine (Ralston) Hays, whom he married on November 6, 1965; and eight siblings.

Survivors include his son, Tom A. Hays; grandchildren, Eleni M. (Matt) Hummel, Elexa M. Hays, Hayden V. Hays, and Averi L. Hays; great-grandchildren, Grayson, Hudson, Addison, and Fallon; sister-in-law, Georgia Pate, and family; and brothers-in-law, Clyde Ralston, and family and Dick Ralston, and family. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Summers Funeral Home with Danny Dodds officiating with burial to follow at the Washington Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Friday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Online condolences may be sent to www.summersfuneralhome.com