Earl Hayden

Earl Hayden, age 97 of Pittsfield, IL passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Liberty Village in Pittsfield, IL. He was born October 8, 1928, in Pittsfield, IL to Lloyd Allen and Vera Fawn Landess Hayden. Earl married Helen Josephine Barton in Pittsfield on August 31, 1957, and she preceded him in death April 21, 2001.

Earl was a United States Air Force veteran, serving his country from 1950 to 1954 with his twin brother, Gerald. They served at the Greater Pittsburg Airport for two years and then completed their service in Newfoundland at the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base. Earl worked at the Pittsfield Post Office as a letter carrier retiring after 31 years. He was a member of Pittsfield American Legion Post #152 and member of Pittsfield Methodist Church. In his spare time, he loved to garden, fish, and mow his yard.

Earl is survived by son, Craig (Jo Ann) Hayden of Bloomington, IL; daughter, Diana (Jim) Elftmann of St. Joseph, IL; grandchildren, Rob (Emily) Elftmann, Morgan Hayden, and Liam (Samantha) Hayden; and great grandchild, Hayden Elftmann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Vera Hayden; wife of 43 years, Josephine Hayden; son at birth, Steven Robert Hayden; brothers, Leslie Arthur ‘Art’ Hayden and twin, Gerald Hayden; and sister-in-law, Wanda Hayden.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation to be held prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Interment will follow the service at Pittsfield West Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to be made to West Cemetery or Pittsfield United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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