Cover photo for Karen Hays's Obituary
Karen Hays Profile Photo
1949 Karen 2018

Karen Hays

May 6, 1949 — September 3, 2018

Karen S. Hays, 69, a lifelong Rockford resident, died unexpectedly on Monday morning, September 3, 2018 at Mercer Health Emergency Room in Coldwater. She was born May 6, 1949, in Celina, to the late Richard and Z. Fae (Kirkpatrick) Hays.

A 1967 graduate of Parkway High School and a class valedictorian, Karen completed her undergraduate schooling at Baldwin Wallace University before continuing on to Wright State University, earning her Master of Education.

Karen retired in 2006 from Celina Public Schools after 35 years as a teacher. She spent 32 years at the middle school and 3 years at the high school. Karen then went on to teach for 3 years at Wright State University-Lake Campus as an adjunct professor. She loved to work with kids and continued tutoring for many years.

Wanting to stay busy after retirement, Karen worked for many years with American Greetings keeping the card section stocked at the local stores. She was an avid reader and enjoyed music. She was a longtime member of Rockford United Methodist Church. A  compassionate and generous woman, Karen adored her nieces and nephew.

She is survived by her brother, Donald (Linda) Hays of Rockford; sister, Connie Hays of Rockford; nieces: Donna (Jeff) Adams of Rushville, IN; Denise (Greg) Lochtefeld of TN; Darlene Hays of Greenville; Diane Hays of Celina; Danielle (Shaun) Ruhlen of Fort Wayne; Amanda (Chad) Webster of Pandora; nephew, Douglas (Rebecca) Hays, as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Services will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 7th, 2018 at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM Thursday, September 6th,  2018 at the funeral home, and again Friday one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rockford United Methodist Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.ketchamripley.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Hays, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, September 6, 2018

2:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home

111 W 1st St, Rockford, OH 45882

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Thursday, September 6, 2018

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home

111 W 1st St, Rockford, OH 45882

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Friday, September 7, 2018

9:30 - 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home

111 W 1st St, Rockford, OH 45882

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Friday, September 7, 2018

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home

111 W 1st St, Rockford, OH 45882

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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