Rev. Ernest Hayden

The Rev. Ernest Hayden, 98, of Greencastle, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 at Asbury Towers in Greencastle.

He was born Dec. 11, 1911 in Sullivan County, son of Ural and Lura Harris Hayden. He retired in 1977 from the United Methodist Ministry, where he had served for 31 years and was the oldest living minister in the Southern Indiana Conference. He was a graduate of the Graysville High School.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith Ann Tomey and husband Hank of Washington; sons Gerald Lee Hayden and wife Donna of Washington and John Hayden and wife Sharon of Winslow; sister Mary Thompson of Naples, Fla.; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Berneice Boes Hayden in 1976 and his second wife Gretchen Ellis Hayden in 2006. He was also preceded by his parents, a grandson and great-grandson, three brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Center Ridge Cemetery in Sullivan at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Gobin United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 307 Simpson St., Greencastle, IN 46135 Condolences can be shared with the family at www.bittlesandhurt.com