MICHAEL D. HAYS

Michael D. Hays, formerly of Bloomington, Ind., died Aug. 2, 2003, at his home in Wasilla.

He was born to Paul D. Hays and Betty Hays on Jan. 15, 1947, in Bloomington. He had been employed by Indiana University Printing Service. He retired in August 2000 due to his long battle with Leukemia. He then moved with his family to Wasilla. He had been a longtime member of the Smithville Christian Church where he was a deacon. He was a past member of the Indiana Roper and Dogger Association and the Professional Cowboy's Association.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jim and Ruby Hays, father Paul D. Hays and twin son and daughter, Jason and Alisha Hays .

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sherry, daughter and son-in-law Angela and Sabin Shepard, and two grandsons, Michael Keith and Sabin Antonio Shepard, all of Wasilla; his mother Betty Wampler Hays and sister Linda Burdette, both of Louisville, Ky.; brother Eric Hays and stepmother Pam Hays, both of Bloomington, Ind.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lila and Arthur Palfrey of Wasilla; aunt Margaret Ward of Anchorage; and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He lived his last years playing with his grandsons, fishing and exploring the land he loved, Alaska, his family said.