Merlin E. Hayward

Mr. Merlin E. Hayward, 74, of Canaan, Vermont, passed away Wednesday morning, March 8, 2006, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Hayward was born November 19, 1931, in East Corinth, Vermont, son of the late Merlin F. and Rena (Merrill) Hayward. Mr. Hayward attended schools in Corinth and Chelsea, Vermont, and later joined the United States Army where he served honorably during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he worked with his father on the family farm and later drove truck for numerous companies, most recently the mail truck for Mowers News. He loved spending time at his camp in Pittsburg and also enjoyed watching moose. His affection for the North Country led him and his wife, Helen, to move to Canaan to spend more time with his many friends. His hobbies included NASCAR, hunting, fishing and working with wood. He was a lifetime member of the North American Hunting Club and a member of American Legion, Post #26 of White River Junction, VT. Mr. Hayward is survived by his loving wife, Helen (Kelley) Hayward of Canaan, VT; six sons, Philip Hayward and wife, Diane, of Cookville, VT, Dana Hayward of Wells River, VT, Gary Hayward of Stockbridge, VT, Randy Bowen and wife, Sue, of Benson, VT, Bruce Bowen and wife, Laurie, of Springfield, NH, and Darrell Bowen and wife, Christie, of Windsor, VT; five daughters, Barbara Burlett and husband, Daryl, of Benson, VT, Angela Decker and husband, Michael, of Cookville, VT, Marjorie Giroux and husband, James, of Barre, VT, Brenda Alley and husband, Bob, of Claremont, NH, and Rebecca Southworth and husband, Jason, of White River Junction, VT; two brothers, Malcolm Hayward of Barre, VT, and Donald Hayward of East Barre, VT; seven sisters, Lorraine Kennedy of Barre, VT, Kathy Ricker of Corinth, VT, Rubina Benson of South Royalton, VT, Maxine Cahill of Washington, VT, Marina Butler of Corinth, VT, Marilyn Jewell of Corinth, VT, and Juanita Sleeper of Corinth, VT; twenty-one grandchildren including a special grandson, Colby Wayne Bowen; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Hayward is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ramona Gile. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of Mr. Hayward’s life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion, Post #26 in White River Junction, VT. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Hayward’s memory may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer Fund, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook Bank, Main Street, Colebrook, NH 03576.

Merlin E. Hayward

November 19, 1931 - March 8, 2006