Donald Paul Hayes was born October 20, 1931 in Bedford, Iowa to Ceceil J Hayes and Reatha B. (Hunter) Hayes. He graduated from Maryville High School and was inducted into the army February, 1952. After he returned from Korea July 27th, 1953 the day they signed the Armistice Treaty, he married his high school sweetheart, Marcella R Mires on August 30, 1953. They moved to Nebraska where he attended school for mechanics. He worked as a mechanic in the Indianola area repairing tractors and automobiles until purchasing the Skelly Station in 1980. He retired from the station in 2000 where he kept busy helping his youngest son, Karl, farm. Don passed away peacefully Thursday, July 2, 2026 at home.

Donald is survived by his wife, Marcella Hayes of Indianola; sons, Robin (Abby) Hayes of Empire, MI, Kenny (Deb) Hayes of Dayton, IA, Karl (Donya) Hayes of Indianola; a daughter, Jan (Dennis) Phelps of Grinnell, IA; and 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Marian Hayes. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Robert Paul Hayes Jr. a son, Robert P. Hayes; siblings, James Leland (Leona) Hayes, Charles Duane Hayes; and sister, Hazel L. Swaney;

Services for Donald Paul Hayes and Robert Paul Hayes (who passed away Thursday, June 11), will be held 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Visitation will be held prior to service from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside Services will be held 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.