Edward Earl "Coach" Hayes (90) of Bradley

It is with great sadness, but with joy for life well-lived, that the family of Edward Earl “Coach” Hayes passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, September 14, 2022. He was born on June 29, 1932 in Detroit, MI, to the late Everett and Florence Hayes.

Ed married Madonna (Heinze) on April 23, 1954 at St Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley, she survives. Also surviving are his loving family: his only daughter, Marla (Gary) Burns of Katy, TX; and four sons, Kurt (Kellee) Hayes of Bourbonnais, Jeff (Amy) Hayes of Bloomington, IL, Brian Hayes (Julia) of Effingham, IL, and Scott (Michelle) Hayes of Aledo, TX. He dearly loved his eleven grandchildren: Collin (Audrey) Burns, Erin Burns, Justin (Jessi) Hayes, Kyle Hayes, Kory Hayes, Emily (EJ) Schiller, Sarah Hayes, Austin Hayes, Carter Hayes, Keegan Hayes Aidan Hayes; and his five great grandchildren, Benton and Ebby Burns, Christa Martinez, Molly Hayes, and Price Schiller. Also surviving are his dear friends and siblings, Howard Hayes of Bourbonnais and Mary Johnson of Bradley, both who visited with him regularly until the day he passed.

Ed grew up in Bradley and was a stand-out athlete and student at every level and earned varsity letters in four sports and academics at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School: four years in basketball, track and academics, three years in baseball, two years in football and a member of the 1950 Sweet-Sixteen basketball team. Ed graduated salutatorian from BBCHS in 1950. He continued his athletic career at Illinois State University as a member of the Redbird basketball team. Ed met his college roommate and teammate, Robert (Joyce) Bryant of Bloomington. They remained close friends throughout their lives having traveled together with their spouses, despite Ed’s love of the Chicago Cubs and Bob’s love of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ed was a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, director of guidance, and retired as principal from Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School. Under his leadership, Ed’s basketball team enjoyed much success during his tenure. Ed was inducted into the BBCHS Athletic Hall of Fame, as a coach, individual athlete, and a member of the 1950 Sweet 16 Basketball team. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame at Illinois State University. Ed was counselor of the year for the Illinois Counseling Association in 1979. He was always active in the Village of Bourbonnais, where he served as Planning Commission Chairman for 50 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Municipal Bank of Bourbonnais and always used his leadership sense of community pride for the best interest of the Village.

Ed was an avid golfer, Chicago Cubs fan, world traveler, and handyman who built both family homes in Bourbonnais. He was a faithful servant to Catholic Charities, where he served as President from 1974-1977 and was on the Board of Directors. 

This dear man, with too many more superlatives to say, was a wonderful husband to his wife Madonna, father to his children, loving grandpa, and a Godly servant-leader who gave so much to his family and the Bradley-Bourbonnais Community.

Please help us honor and celebrate his life through tears and prayers, and may God comfort and provide His peace that surpasses our understanding to Madonna, and all her children/grandchildren, extended family, and each of you who knew and loved Ed.

Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2022 at Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church.