ROCHELLE — Jerry K. Hayes, 81, passed away Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. Jerry was born July 15, 1936 to Robert V. and Ruth E. (Butler) Hayes in Rochelle. He married Marjorie Ann Bosecker on June 21, 1958 in Kings.  
Jerry farmed for 51 years and was active in many farm related endeavors. He was a 4-H member and leader for 20 years, served as an officer and participated in many judging teams in FFA as well as singing in the State FFA choir at the state convention. 
Jerry was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer by the Rochelle Jaycees.
During his farming career, he was involved in a wide variety of sales venues: selling seed corn and beans, Roof Weed cutter mowers, Conner Prairie swine breeding stock, PTN market screens and Brokaw Pit agitators. 
He also had time to be a crop adjuster and insurance agent for over 20 years. 
Jerry had a servant’s heart as shown by his various activities with several organizations: past president of the Illinois State Draft Pony Hitch Association, past member of the Rochelle Lion’s Club, Ogle County Livestock Producers, Ogle County Pork Producers and life time member of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.  Jerry was one of four hog producers to help form the Ogle County Pork Producers Association; becoming one of its first officers. 
He has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 55 years, serving on various church boards and singing in the church choir.
In addition to his parents, Jerry is preceded in death by one brother.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie; four children, Karen (Brent) Tracy, of Rochelle, Brian (Susan) Hayes of Hutchinson, Kans., Janet (Rick) Kaiser of Bracey, Va., and Sheryl (David) Casey of Rochelle; one brother; 12 grandchildren, Adam Tracy, Eric (Rachel) Tracy, Evan (Alyssa) Tracy, Robert (Shelley) Hines, Amy Miller, Chase (Haley Taft) Lodico, Ariana, Trey, and Aubrielle Lodico; Claudia, Braden and Quinton Casey; six great-grandchildren, Jackson Tracy, Morgan Griffis, Trevor and Tate Miller, Kenzie Richards and Garret Hines and many nieces and nephews.  
The visitation will be from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St., Rochelle.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Calvin Road, Rochelle, with Pastors Doug Forsberg and Jim Tilley officiating. 
Memorials may be made in Jerry’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church. 
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.