John Earl Hayes Obituary

John Earl Hayes, age 61, of DeWitt, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 18, 2021, in Brunswick, Missouri.

John was the son of E.J. and Viola Lou (Hamblen) Hayes, born on October 10, 1960, in Carrollton, Missouri. He attended school in Wakenda and Carrollton. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Army National Guard on February 22, 1985, and was honorably discharged on February 21, 1993. On April 27, 1979, he married Brenda Janelle Rainey in Waverly, Missouri, and they were blessed with forty two years of marriage, three children, nine grandchildren, and a great-grandson, who is expected in January of 2022.

He broke horses for a lot of people, but he especially loved to ride them. John had a great outgoing personality and could get along with just about anyone. He was known to be an extremely hard worker who made a career out of hauling cattle and grain. John owned and operated Hayes Trucking from 1996 until 2001. In his younger years, he worked on a farm helping with cattle and grain, and was later employed by the following: Banquet Foods, Henkel, Shireman Trucking, and Wallers Trucking. He had worked numerous times for Shawn Meyer and family, who he liked very much. John was currently employed by T&C Cattle, LLC/Two Rivers Feeders and Company; John thought the world of his boss, Chad Duncan and his family. John was no doubt considered a workaholic, but he always made time for his family and let them know just how much he loved them. He remained friends with his school mate Pat Walden and they would get together and reminisce about the good ole days. John would put a disc in the player and listen to his favorite artist, Waylon Jennings, and sing along to his favorite songs, Longtime Gone, Ramblin Man, and Lonesome, Ornery, and Mean, and he also liked some tunes by Jessie Colter. He was baptized as a youngster at the Church of Christ in Lexington, Missouri.

John's family sadly mourns his loss, his beloved wife, Brenda of the home; two daughters, Heather Hayes of Odessa, Missouri, and Holly Hayes of DeWitt, Missouri; one son, E.J. Hayes and wife Katrina of Liberty, Missouri; his mother, Viola Elliott of Carrollton, Missouri; siblings, Carol Backe (Scott) of Moberly, Missouri, Linda Hayes of Chillicothe, Missouri, Roger Elliott (Veronica) of DeWitt, Missouri, Jean Simmons (Vernon) of Carrollton, Missouri, Tonette White (John) of Brunswick, Missouri, Peggy Pickel (Jeff) of Hulbert, Oklahoma, Donna (Sparks) Elliott of Carrollton, Missouri, Tina White (Shad) of Raytown, Missouri, and Dave Elliott of DeWitt, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Erik, Exavier, Eitaly, Jerimiah, D.J., Paytton, Hayden, Marissa, and Tryce; and one great-grandson who is due in January of 2022.

He was preceded in death by his father, E. J. Hayes; one brother, James Elliott; four nephews, Quentin Simmons, Eric Hamblen, Gary Pridemore, Jr., and Matthew Wright, Sr.; one special great-nephew, Jace Hamblen; numerous aunts, and uncles; and one special uncle, Larry Elliott; and numerous cousins, and one special cousin, Corky Garrison; his mother-in-law, Judith Stevens; and father-in-law, George Rainey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

If you would like to make a memorial contribution, please consider making them to Family Choice in care of Brenda Hayes. They may be left at or mailed to Bittiker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 223, Carrollton, Missouri, 64633.