Kelly Sue Hays

Herrin- Kelly Sue Hays, 35, of Tampa, Florida, formerly of Herrin, passed away at Tampa General Hospital at 11:35 AM on July 2, 2008 of complications from breast cancer. Kelly was born in Carbondale, Illinois on August 24th, 1972 to Dr William Hays and Sue (Eichhorn) Hays. She had an active and productive life. She was a graduate of Herrin High School and was graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in marketing and was employed by Select Health Care as a business development representative in the Tampa area. She traveled extensively and had many wonderful friends who cared for her greatly. She made a valiant fight against breast cancer which was inspirational to those who were around her. Her courage and strength of will were second to none. Even to her last day, she never, never gave up. She is survived by her father and stepmother, Dr William and Pam Hays of Herrin, her mother and step father, Sue and Mendal Mearkle of Apple Valley, Minnesota, a sister Karen Elliott and brother Billy Hays of Herrin, a niece Madison Elliott of Herrin, step brother Robert Mearkle of Budapest, Hungary and step sister and husband Jennifer and Terry Tupy of St Paul, Minnesota. Grandfather Elden Eichhorn of Bloomington, Minnesota, and uncles Richard and Steven Eichhorn of Minnesota, aunt Ramona Hays and cousins Michelle Smith of Herrin and Christian Bain of Michigan, Danny and Terry Jenkins of Herrin, an aunt Margie Eichhorn of Florida and cousins April Eichhorn OLeary and Emily Brown and Katie and Jake Eichhorn. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Morris and Evelyn Hays, an uncle, Morris "Hank" Hays, cousins Holly and Morris Hays III, her maternal grandmother, Ada Eichhorn and an uncle Roger Eichhorn. She was loved by many who knew her and was an inspiration of courage and conviction in her battle against breast cancer, followed by many on her carepages.com (kellyhays7) through the Moffitt Cancer Center. She has gone to be with the Lord in Heaven and in the presence of Jesus Christ. The family would like to express its gratitude to all those who supported her in her battle and give special thanks to Dr John Cox and Dr. Susan Minton of Tampa who treated her and to Tampa General Hospital and its staff for excellent care and compassion in her final days. The funeral service will be held at 1:42 PM, Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Rev. David Maragni will officiate. A committal ceremony will held at East Lawn Memorial Gardens on Tuesday afternoon followed by a reception for family and friends at Community of Faith Church. Visitation will be from 6-9:00 PM, Monday, July 7, 2008 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Due to serious health concerns in the immediate family, friends and family are being urged to not send flowers or wear perfume as they may set off a serious allergic reaction. The family prefers that you make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society, the Tampa General Hospital Tree of Life or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948.