Mark Wayne Hayes was born September 24, 1940, to W. Wayne and Irene R. (Bellamy) Hayes in Knoxville, Iowa.

Mark went to Fee Country School and Knoxville schools through 5th grade. After that he worked on farms putting up hay. He also worked at sale barns in Colfax, Eddyville, Albia, and Centerville.

Growing up, Mark had fond memories of going to livestock auctions with his dad. They would buy cattle, hogs and sheep. They lived on a 7.5 acre farm, and had animals "all over the place."

In 1980, his mom bought him a house on Main Street in Pella, where he lived for many years. He worked at Jaarsma Bakery and Central Park Café washing dishes. He also cleaned at the Town Crier. Mark enjoyed working in his yard, baking cookies, going to garage sales, and spending time with Deb Hawk.

Many in the Pella area will remember Mark as the "Card Guy". He would drive around downtown Pella on his red scooter, collecting signatures from many people and businesses to give to grieving families in the area. Mark was also a fan of the Pella Christian Eagles, and cheered them on at many of their games.

Last but not least, Mark's love for ice cream was legendary. He won many ice cream eating contests during Thursdays in Pella.

Mark will be missed by many who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Irene Hayes, and his sister Carolyn and her husband Marvin.

Mark's stories. . .

A long, long time ago at the meat market in Pella, when they didn't have any sidewalks or anything, my Dad used to deliver meat. Mr. Klassen was the owner of the meat market, and my Dad used to help him out there. Then my Dad and Mother used to come over to see them, and they would go out together. The Klassens are both dead now. They used to come to picnics with my Mom and Dad.

Park Bingley and my Dad used to know each other well when my Dad would come to the sale barn a lot in the summertime in the town of Knoxville. They had a fire at the sale barn, and Park told someone that my Dad raised up the money to build that sale barn back up again. I don't know how much it was, probably $25,000 or so. They used to come to some place out north of town, and Park got a lease on the barn and they built another barn someplace down toward Albia. Dystras had it later on, but he sold it to somebody else now.

Grandpa and Grandma Hayes (who made lots of pies) lived in a big house on Franklin Street in Des Moines. Later Grandma moved to a house in Knoxville and lived upstairs with Aunt Bessie Cox. One evening she was sitting in her chair when she passed away. She was 92 years old.

A long time ago Grandma Bellamy took a trip to Holland on the boat. I liked to play cards with her. One morning she went outside and saw a rabbit and shot it and cleaned it. Grandpa Bellamy was in the monument business. I visited them often with my Mom and Dad. I have a hutch that stands very tall that was built by my great-grandpa. Grandpa Bellamy took me for a car ride to the river when I was nine years old. We went to someone's house and got a whole string of fish. When he got old he had arthritis and could hardly walk.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella or the Faith Christian Reformed Church.

Christian Opportunity Center in Pella
1553 Broadway St., Pella IA 50219
Tel: 1-641-628-1162
Web: http://christianopportunity.org/

Faith Christian Reformed Church
Pella IA