Matthew Allen Hays

Matthew Allen Hays, 27, of Lawrence, Kansas, formerly of Franklin County, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, August 13, 2015, at the First Baptist Church, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Matthew was born Thursday, September 10, 1987, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Patrick and Lori (Willhite) Hays. He was a near lifelong Franklin County resident living in Ottawa until moving in November 2014 to Lawrence. He attended Pomona High School. Survivors include his daughter, Evelyn Hays of Pomona; parents, Patrick and Lori Hays; maternal grandmother, Mattie Willhite of Ottawa; siblings, Jennifer Hays of Ottawa, David Hays and wife Crystal of Lawrence, and Ashley Hays and fiancé William Mathias of Great Bend; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Joshua Hays and sister, Kassey Hays. Matthew worked as a technician for Brown Industries in Lawrence. He had a big heart and loved his daughter, family and friends and the time they spent together. He enjoyed reading, music, working out, and was a pet lover. Matthew’s loss is felt by all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed. The family suggests memorial contributions to Matthew Allen Hays Memorial Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences and memories on Matthew’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.