Benjamin Hayes

VISITATION:

4-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 16 and from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, all at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, 531 E. South Ave., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11 a.m. Wednesday, December 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, 531 E. South Ave., Chippewa Falls

Benjamin R. Hayes, 17 of the town of Anson, Chippewa Falls, died Saturday, December 13, 2014 at his home.

Ben was born May 14, 1997 in Chippewa Falls to Dana (Boucher) and Patrick Hayes. He was currently a senior at Chi-Hi, where he played football and was formerly a member of the wrestling team. Ben also played violin in the school orchestra. He was set to graduate in January and his ambition was to become a diesel mechanic.

Ben loved to do anything and everything outside. He loved hunting and fishing, especially fishing. You could always find Ben at one of the local dams or rivers fishing every day after school and weekends. Ben lived to throw a line in the water and hang with the crew.

Ben had a huge heart and was the kind of friend that you could count on to be there when you needed him, at any hour of any day. His brother, Ryan, remembers him getting phone calls in the middle of the night from friends in need and Ben would go, without question. He would literally give you the shirt off his back, without the expectation of a thank you. He will be forever missed.

He is survived by his father, Patrick Hayes of Anson; mother Dana (Tim) LeDuc of Normal, IL; brothers, Ryan Hayes and Nick White, both of Minneapolis; paternal grandparents, Mike and Jean Hayes, Marie St. Amour, all of Munising, MI; maternal grandparents, Roger and Veronica "Ronnie" Boucher of Hibbing, MN; step-grandparents Ted and Carol Le Duc of Chippewa Falls; step mother, Kelly Hayes; step sister, Amanda Karnes; aunts and uncles, Kathi (Al) Quattran, Michael (Indol) Hayes, John (Lisa) Cromell, Wayne (Candy) Cromell, Sean (Jamie) Hayes, Col. John (Jill) Boucher, Mike (Lydia Grant) Boucher, Deb Boucher, Mari Evans; many cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his aunt, Lori Hayes.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, Chippewa Falls with Revs. Jim Woldhuis and Alan Dunham officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service Wednesday, all at the church.

Ben was very conscientious about preserving and protecting wildlife in their natural environments, memorials in his memory are appreciated and may go to the wildlife preservation organization of your choice or the United Special Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) at www.childswish.com that takes disabled youth and veterans on the sportsman's outing of a lifetime.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Benjamin R. Hayes, 17 of Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, Chippewa Falls. The Revs. Jim Woldhuis and Alan Dunham officiated, with music provided by accompanist, Jodi Jewell, vocalist, Jodi Johnson, and string trio Molly Malone, Rob Kuchta, and Laura Jensen. Eulogies were given by Ben's brothers, Ryan Hayes and Nick White.

Those serving as casket bearers were close friends, Col Mueller, Matt Roper, John Lee, Matt Kuss, Colton Treu, Derek Pahl, Luke Grube and Skylyr Graham.