Please click on read more to view a recording of Robert & Dorothy's service.

Dorothy Hays, age 91 passed on March 24, 2020 at Mesilla Valley Hospice Las Cruces, NM. She was born September 14, 1928 in LaHarpe, Illinois to Clarence and Belle Rosita Cassingham, nee Laws. Dorothy completed nurses training at the Galesburg Cottage Hospital School of Nursing in 1949 and internship in 1950 at Michael Reese in Chicago where she met Bob. She and Robert L. Hays (Bob) were married June 10th 1951. Dorothy worked in professional nursing for 45 years in healthcare and industrial nursing in Suburban Chicago. She and Bob retired and moved to Las Cruces in 1990. After retirement, Dorothy became an avid traveler having visited most of the world including the Middle East, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Far East and South America. She enjoyed and was an expert: cook, interior decorator, and quilter. Dorothy was a benefactor of the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts in Ruidoso and was a regular attendee.

She is fondly remembered for her caring, kind, outgoing nature which blended intelligence, determination, high moral standards, friendship, humor and love.

Preceding her in death; husband Bob 2003, and sister Shirley Poston 1996.

Robert Lewis Hays age 77 passed November 10, 2003 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center Las Cruces NM. Born April 19, 1926 to Robert D. and Mary Hays, (nee Chamberlain) in Danville, IL. Bob served honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII as an Electronics Technician Mate, and earned his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and Masters degree from IIT in Chemical Engineering . He was employed by North Shore Gas, Union Starch, DCA, and lastly 29 years at Corn Products Corp (CPC). During his tenure at CPC he was responsible for developing novel process engineering of corn agricultural products; commercial examples of which are Mazola, and Argo starch among others. The last 12 years of his time at CPC were spent as a corporate engineer with responsibility for the construction and start up of new corn processing facilities globally. Bob traveled the free world during his time at CPC. He retired in 1990.

Bob is remembered for his extraordinary intelligence, forthrightness, strong opinions; sharp insightful wit, and wry sense of humor.

Preceding him in death; sister Dorothy Hansen 2012, and brother William 2000.

Dorothy and Bob are survived by their two sons Robert Hays (Roberta Watson), Charles and wife Mary Ann Hays. Other survivors are grandchildren Carrie (Steven) Bruns, Kristen (Keathen) Moreland, Theodore Hays, and Rebecca Hoff (Bryan), great grandchildren Ashlynn, Amanda, Emily, Caitlin.

Memorial services for Dorothy were delayed due to the Pandemic. A joint Memorial service for Dorothy and Bob is scheduled for August 28th 2021, 11 AM at Banks and Beals Funeral home in LaHarpe, IL.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston TX, and the American Heart Association Denver CO.