04/27/2014
Eric Wendell Hays, 54, died Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Des Moines while on a walk with his wife. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, May 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
Eric was born November 9, 1959, in Knoxville, Iowa to Norman and Shirley Hays. He graduated from Iowa State University and worked for Principal Financial Group for 29 years, most recently as Assistant Vice President of Technology which allowed him to travel the world.
Eric married his wife, Carole on July 26, 1986 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines and they made their home in West Des Moines where they raised their three sons.
Eric is survived by his wife, Carole; his sons, Aaron, Ryan and Andy; and his sister, Sarah (Russ) Cusick of Southport, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will receive friends from 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Dowling Catholic High School.
Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
Eric will be remembered for his years as a leader in Boy Scouts, his love of gardening and the outdoors, music, and world travel.