MILITARY RECORD: EUGENE became an Aviation Machinist's Mate, 3rd Class, V-6, USNR (SV). He received training for Tool and Dye in Aircraft Sheetmetal work at Norman, Oklahoma and Memphis, Tennessee. He served at NTS, Farragut, Idaho and CASU Scout Observation Service Unit 3. He was honorably discharged from Norman, Okla.

1. Silveus. 1980 Hays-Trapp, Irene. [Larned, Kan. : E.H. Sooby, 1980?] LC: CS71.S5848 1980 Dewey: 929/.2/0973

OPEN HOUSE PLANNED FOR 90th BIRTHDAY: Auburn Illinois, News BERT E. HAYS of Wichita, former resident of the Zook Community, will observe his 90th birthday on Feb. 3, 1971. Mr. Hays was born in Johnson Township of Christian County, near Taylorville, Ill., 3 Feb. 1881, the son of George and Anna Chesterman-Hays. He was engaged in farming on the same farm on which he was born until he moved to Kansas in March, 1929. He has lived in Wichita since June 9, 1942. A-1 JOHN BOURMAN SILVEUS and CATHERINE CULP B-3 NICHOLAS JOHNSON SILVEUS and CAROLINE KATHERIAN FISHER H-2 MARY LAVINA SILVEUS and BERTIE ELMER HAYS (Continued)

He was married to MARY LAVINA SILVEUS in May 1901. They became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mrs. Hays has been deceased since May 31, 1954. Mr. Hays makes his home with his daughter, Orpha. Son, George lives near Larned, and is spending the winter in Casa Grande, Ariz., Mrs. Lucy Boston lives in Farina, Ill. Two sons, Alfred and John live in Wichita, Mrs. Irene Trapp also lives in Wichita. Mrs. Dorothy Davis resides in Everett, Wash., and Bert Eugene lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are 11 grand children and 20 great, grandchildren. Mr. Hays was a brother to the late John H. Hays of the Zook Community. In spite of his advanced years, Mr. Hays is active and spends much of his time watching TV, reading and watching the wild birds feeding at his back yard feeder. He has been very proud of his well-kept lawn, but had to give up that enjoyable pass-time after an illness last June. An open house in observance of his birthday is being planned at his home at 551 Elpyco, Wichita, Kansas, 67218, on Sunday, Jan. 31. A card shower from friends in this area would be greatly appreciated. The Tiller and Toiler, Larned, Kansas Bert Hays, Orpha Hays, Mrs. Irene Trapp of Wichita, Eugene Hays of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mrs. Lucy Boston of Farina, Ill., and Mrs. Dorothy Davis of Slidell, La., are visiting their son and brother, George Hays at Zook. Also they will visit with Mrs. Ben Sooby, Sr. a niece and cousin. while here. The Tiller and Toiler, Larned, Kansas

BERT ELMER HAYS A life of remarkable longevity has been lived out in our midst. Bert Elmer Hays was born on February 3, 1881, in a log cabin in Christian County, Illinois, and went to his long home on January 22, 1983, having fallen only twelve days short of experiencing his 102nd birthday.

Mr. Hays' father served in the Civil War from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, after which he moved to central Illinois. Bert was one of seven children born to George Henry and Ann Chesterman Hays, one of whom, Arminda Belle died as a small child. On May 29, 1901, Bert was married to Mary Lavina Silveus. To this home were born eight children, all of whom survive their father's passing. Mr. Hays moved his family to Pawnee County, Kansas in 1929, and to Wichita in 1942. Here he worked at numerous jobs, particularly at Boeing, during World War II. He retired in 1949 due to losing his hearing. Bert was a member of the Asbury Methodist Church until 1957 when he attended the Free Methodist Church. He had read the Bible through many time. For many years, he had made his home with his daughter, Orpha, until ill health forced him to move to Stafford Nursing Home, where he passed away. Bert Hays was a soft-spoken, serene man who loved the out of doors. He kept an immaculate lawn, enjoyed his flowers and once spent his birthday money buying food for his birds. BERT ELMER HAY'D - Biography Bert Elmer Hays was born in a log house on the family farm in Christian County, Illinois, on February 3, 1881. His father, George Henry Hey, served in the Civil War from S6merset County, Pennsylvania. After the war ended he moved from Pennsylvania to central Illinois. Here he met and married Anna Chesterman in Christian County, on Feb. 4, 1869. They homesteaded on a small farm south of Taylorville, Illinois. To this union were born John Henry, Nov. 20, 1869; Mary Flora, Jan. 1, 1872; George Francis (Frank), June 13, 1873; Orpha May, Nov. 29, 1878; Bert Elmer, Feb. 3, 1881; Harvey Louis, Mar. 17, 1884. One daughter, Arminda Belle, died as a small child. Soon after George Henry's marriage to Anna Chesterman, the Hay name was changed to Hays, because Anna thought the name too short and many people were using the plural name. But George Henry's Civil War marker bears the name HAY. Irene Hays Trapp and niece, Edith Hays Sooby, have done a lot of research on the family history and were able to trace the Hay family back to Scotland. Bert married Mary Lavina Silveus on May 29, 1901. To this union were born four sons and four daughters. All are living today. They range in age from 61 years to 79. They are George Nicholas, Wichita; Lucy Marie (Hays) Boston, Farina, Illinois; Alfred Elmer, Holland, Michigan; Annette Irene Hays) Trapp, who now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah; Orpha Malay, Wichita, with whom Bert has resided for many years; Dorothy Geneva (Hays) Davis, Salt Lake City; John Raymond, Wichita; and Bert Eugene of Salt Lake City, Utah. Bert raised his family on the farm where he was born. His parents moved to Taylorville shortly after he and Mary were married. He remained on the family farm until 1929, when he moved to Pawnee County, Kansas. There had been many years of crop failures due to flooding, etc. Several acres of the farm are now the backwaters of the Taylorville Lake. Bert decided to move to Kansas where his oldest brother, John, had farmed for many years. But the depression came and Bert only farmed a few years in Pawnee County. He did odd jobs for a time and worked as custodian of the Zook Community School for several years. The school no longer exists, but the four younger children Graduated from High School there. In 1942,Bert and @@ry decided to move to Wichita where three of their children were employed. During World War II, he worked at Boeing in the cafeteria or the food-line. Two sons and one daughter served in the military service during this time. John was in the Army and served in the 3rd Armored Division in Europe. Bert Eugene served in the States and helped keep the Navy planes ready for service. Orpha was in the Army Nursing, Corp and was overseas in the Philippines. Daughter Dorothy was the only one at home during those years. She worked at Boeing. After the War, Bert worked as a custodian at Wesley Hospital. His hearing was failing him so he retired in 1949. Bert and Mary were members of the Asbury Methodist Church when they lived on North Madison Street. After the move in 1957 to a home near the Veterans Hospital, where Orpha was employed, Bert attended the Free Methodist Church until his hearing became such a handicap. Bert and Mary celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in May 1951. It was a glorious day for Bert. Mary Hays was in poor health for several years. She died in May 1954. Since then Bert has depended on daughter Orpha and they became very close. Bert loved to work in the yard and he kept an immaculate lawn and yard until an illness in his 89th year. But he has remained active and alert. His deafness end his recent poor eyesight have been his biggest handicaps. Due to increasing handicaps and the illness of his daughter, Orpha, Bert has resided in the Stafford Nursing Home at 2280 S. Minneapolis for four months. He ambulates with a walker and wheel chair. His biggest problem is communication. But he has a good memory for his years. Since his admission to the Nursing Home he dwells more on past events because he says he has nothing- else to do. The Hays family has a history of living over the usual life span. Oldest brother, John, lived south of Larned and died at age 90 years and 6 months; Brother Frank lived in Taylorville, Illinois. He almost made it to 100, but died at age 09 years and 6 months. Sister Flora Schiver lived in Casey, Illinois; she died at 88. Sister Orpha McMunn lived in Mulvane and Emporia most of her life; she died at 91. Youngest brother, Harvey was an invalid for many years and only lived to be 66 years of age. Bert is the only remaining sibling. Bert never drank or smoked end he lived a very simple life. He has always accepted life as it comes. He is loved and respected by his family, friends, neighbors and those who are now caring for him at the Stafford Nursing Home. Daughter Orpha

Mrs. Hays preceded him in death in 1954, but he is survived by his sons, George N. and John R. both of Wichita, Alfred E. of Holland, Michigan, and Bert E. of Salt Lake City; as well as his daughters, Orpha of Wichita; Irene Trapp and Dorothy Davis, both of Salt Lake City; and Lucy Boston of Farina, Illinois. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, eight great, great grandchildren, as well as many other relatives and friends who loved this quiet man.

1. Silveus. 1980 Hays-Trapp, Irene. [Larned, Kan. : E.H. Sooby, 1980?] LC: CS71.S5848 1980 Dewey: 929/.2/0973