Calling(s)

Tuesday, June 30, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Stroh Church of Christ, 4440 S 1100 W, Hudson

Service

Tuesday, June 30, 12:00 PM Stroh Church of Christ, 4440 S 1100 W, Hudson

Obituary

Reta Mabel Hayward, 94, of Kendallville died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville.

She was born October 1, 1925, in Gray, Maine, to John and Mabel (Read) Herman.

She was a 1943 graduate of Central High School in Fort Wayne.

On September 28, 1946, she married Bobbie Eugene Hayward. He preceded her in death shortly after celebrating 69 years of marriage in 2015.

Reta worked as a teacher's aide and reading tutor at the Salem Center Elementary School and later at Prairie Heights Elementary School. In 1980, she founded the Pre-K Discovery Center at Salem Center Presbyterian Church where she served as director and teacher, retiring in 1998.

She was a former member of the Salem Center Presbyterian Church where she served as Treasurer for many years. Currently, she was a member of the Stroh Church of Christ.

Reta enjoyed decorating her home for the different seasons, especially Christmas. Her life's passion was her husband and her family.

Surviving are two daughters, Nanette (Bill) Callison of Pryor, Oklahoma, and Janean (Mark) Middendorf of O'Fallon, Missouri; a son, Ned Hayward of Kendallville; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Jamie) Hayward, Jennifer (Charlie) Rasler, and Tara Sue Cox; seven great-grandchildren, Audri, Gary and Grace Hayward, Aurora Eve Mathews, and Weston, Baylee and Alaina Rasler.

She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Garrison, June Hawk, Ruth Garrison, and Alta Rice

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 12 p.m. at the Stroh Church of Christ, 4440 S 1100 W, Hudson with Pastor Mike Hamm officiating. Family friend Russell Hepler will share special thoughts and memories. Burial will follow at Wright Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Jeremy Hayward, Gary Hayward, Mark Middendorf, Charlie Rasler, Rory Smith, and Jerry Perkins.

Visitation is Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church following social distancing practices.

Preferred memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Visiting Nurse & Hospice, or Lutheran Life Villages.

Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements.

View a video tribute after Tuesday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com