AVA – Father Leo J. Hayes, 90, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Hincke-Sense Home in Shiloh, Illinois. He was born on December 2, 1935, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to the late Leo J. and Angela (Stroer) Hayes.

Father Hayes grew up in East St. Louis, attending Holy Angels Grade School and St. Louis University High School (SLUH). During his years at SLUH, he met a group of men who would become his lifelong friends. Five of these friends went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame, helping to explain his lifelong enthusiasm for the school.

Father Hayes was the first program director at Camp Ondessonk, which opened on June 28, 1959.

He attended St. Henry’s College Seminary for two years before completing six years of study at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. In 1972, he earned his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC).

Father Hayes was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961, and received his first assignment at St. Augustine Parish in Belleville, Illinois. In 1966, he was sent to El Progreso, Guatemala, where the Diocese had established a mission. Upon returning to Illinois, he served as an associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Murphysboro.

Father Hayes later began his first and only pastorate, serving three parishes: St. Elizabeth in Ava, St. Joseph in Willisville, and St. Ann in Raddle. During his years of service to these parishes, he also spent 25 years as a chaplain at Menard Correctional Center. Following his retirement, he continued his ministry as a sacramental minister at Immaculate Conception Chapel on Kaskaskia Island.

Father Hayes was preceded in death by his parents, Leo J. and Angela (Stroer) Hayes; his sister, Virginia (Hayes) Desmond; his brother-in-law, Thomas Desmond; and his cousins Eugene Hayes and Jeanne (Ed) Rheinecker.

He is survived by his nieces, Tracy and Mona (John); his nephew, Tom (Heather); his grandnephews, Alex (Lindsey) and Max; his grandnieces, Breigh and Kayleigh; and his great-grandniece, Addyson, and great-grandnephew, Alexander. He is also survived by his cousins Judy (Jim) and Tom, along with the Hayes and Rheinecker cousins. He leaves behind many dear cousins in Florissant, Missouri.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Church, located at 101 Raddle Church Lane in Jacob, Illinois. The Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with Father Myler officiating.