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Jack Hayes Obituary
Jack was born on April 16,1929 to Walter Frank Hayes and Marie Pauline (Hardesty) Hayes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1947 he graduated from Fort Wayne's North Side High School, with standout accomplishments including being an Indiana State Track Champion. He then attended Valparaiso University. Jack was a member of the U.S. Army from 1951-53, serving as Corporal in the 369th Engineer Amphibious Support Regimen. Among his assignments was the atomic explosion testing in Camp Desert Rock, Nevada.
Jack met the love of his life, Ann (Krebs) Hayes in 1950 when Ann and her childhood friend Linda (Einhorn) Wilke were having lunch at Sandy's, a restaurant next to North Side High School. Ann was pledging a high school sorority, when they spotted Jack. Linda dared her to go over and ask him to marry her. They were inseparable thereafter. Ann and Jack were married May 1, 1954, in Fort Wayne.
Together, they owned and operated Hobby Town Inc. on North Anthony Blvd. for 35 years until closing in 1994. Jack was an active and faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for over 60 years, where he was head usher and one of the leaders of the church's weekly Men's Bible Breakfast meetings. In his spare time, Jack was an avid Purdue sports fan, enjoyed fishing, and loved spending time with his family at their cabins on Crooked Lake and Lake James.
Jack is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ann, as well as sons Gregory (Kristin) Hayes and Douglas (Michelle) Hayes; his grandchildren Lauren (Scott) Roberts, Brenden (Christina) Hayes, Lindsey Hayes, Aleigha Hayes, Tanner Hayes, Alexander Hayes, Madison Hayes, Dylan Hayes; and 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son Scot; brothers Arthur Hayes, Walter Jr. Hayes; and sisters Barbara Marvel, Dorothy Miller, and Beverly Hayes.
Memorial services will be planned at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Hayes
Susan Hoffman
January 14, 2025
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and husband. Mr. Hayes was a kind and caring man to me and to my family. My thoughts and prayer are with you as you go through this sad time. May your family memories help heal your heart.
David Mather
January 12, 2025
You have my sincere condolences. Your father brought a lot of joy as a young boy . Loved going to his store and buying models and watching the slot car races
Kim Peters-Bergman
January 12, 2025
My prayers and sympathies to Ann and the family. I met Jack while singing in the Towns Of Harmony Sweet Adeline Chorus directed by his wife Ann. He was always helpful when we needed him and made us laugh. He was a great man.
Berghoff
January 12, 2025
Hobby Town: If you were a kid who grew up in the 1960's, Jack provided you a place to hang out on Saturday afternoon's. He built one of the best slot car tracks in town. He was a good man !
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Brian Macke
January 11, 2025
Many memories of Jack and his Son Doug. Spent a lot of my money at Hobby Town on model cars! Great memories at Crooked Lake and the fishing boat. Also remember the bowling league in the 70´s with my Dad and Jack.
Jeffrey Hearn
January 11, 2025
Enduring fond memories as I spent many of my after school hours "hanging out at the Hayes'" playing basketball in the driveway or in the Rec Room watching Dallas Cowboys football. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hayes family during this difficult time.
Greg Hayes
January 11, 2025
Thank you dad for being such a great dad. You left us with so many great memories. You live on in our hearts forever.
David Fisher
January 11, 2025
My sincere condolences to the family of Jack Hayes , your family is in my prayers I really enjoyed doing business with Jack he is greatly missed ,
David McComb
January 11, 2025
Many great memories of going into the hobby shop just down the street from the McComb Lakeside funeral home. A great member of the community and entrepreneur!
David McComb
David Adams
January 11, 2025
So sorry for your loss, my deepest condolences. It was a great honor and privilege for me to have been able to work at Hobby Town for Jack during my high school years. He was a very special person and positive influence in my life. Thoughts and prayers.
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