HAYES, Luther Jr.

HAYES, Luther Jr.

Luther H. Hayes, Jr., 86, of Eau Claire, WI, formerly of Winchendon, died early Friday morning after a long illness.

Mr. Hayes was born in Fitchburg on May 16, 1920, son of the late Luther H. and Irene (Cowles) Hayes, and lived in Winchendon most of his life before moving to Eau Claire, in 2002.

		Luther proudly served his country during World War II as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Hayes is a decorated veteran who fought in both the Battle of Guadalcanal and the Battle of Peleliu, earning two Purple Hearts. He earned the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with five stars, and a Meritorious Promotion. Mr. Hayes was also a dedicated member of the Winchendon Community, serving as a Town Selectman for two terms, spending many years on the Winchendon School Committee, and the Winchendon Council on Aging. Prior to his retirement in 1982 he worked for the former General Box Company as an inside sales representative. He was a member of the Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion, the Lt. Frederick Wilder White Post 2158 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the DAV of Fitchburg, and the First Marine Corps League.

Luther is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis J. (Weeks) Hayes with whom he celebrated sixty years of marriage last November. He also leaves one son Steven W. Hayes of Pelham, NH, two daughters Judith A. Marceau of Ringe, NH and Barbara E. Santolin of Eau Claire, WI, two sisters Lois Lombard of Trenton, MI and Lucilla Howe, of Nashua, NH, 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Hayes was pre-deceased by one brother Leonard Hayes.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the calling hours in the Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, 70 Pleasant St. Winchendon, from 7-9PM Monday April 30. His funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, May 1 at 10AM. Rev. Calvin Miller will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon. Should friends desire contributions in his memory may be made to the Winchendon Health Center, 55 Hospital dr., Winchendon, MA 01475. For directions to the funeral home or to sign on the online guestbook please visit our website at www.fletcherfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, Winchendon.