Mary Ellen (Lightfoot) Hayes was born September 7, 1934 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. She was the daughter of Raymond and Dorothea (Ammon) Lightfoot of Muncie. Mary had one sister precede her in death, Deloris (Lightfoot) Woods and one surviving sister, Sharon Cobbs of Greenwood, Indiana.

Mary married her junior high school sweetheart, Henry H. Hayes, in 1953 after attending Muncie Central High School together. They were married for 31 years before Henry's passing in 1984. They had four children who survived them, Diana Ewigleben (Don) of Colorado, Elaine Holwager (David) of Colorado, Rick Hayes (Doris) of Indiana, and Paula Reuter (Tom) of Colorado. Mary had eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mary loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker and truly lived for her family's happiness. Her wonderful ability to make delicious cakes led to a business venture making wedding and party cakes. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and Eastern Star as well as the Tri-Kappa Sorority in Beech Grove, Indiana. Mary worked at the First Bank in Beech Grove until she retired. In her retirement years, she loved to travel and went to many places in the U.S. and abroad.

In her most recent years, Mary was loved and cared for at the Compass Park Masonic Home in Franklin, Indiana. She went to be with the Lord on July 13, 2021 after many years of battling a heart condition. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in her honor to the Indiana Masonic Compass Park, 690 State Street, Franklin, IN 46131. Please visit compasspark.org for more information.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 North State Road 3, Muncie with funeral services immediately following at 1:00 PM, also in the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com .

COVID-19 Limitations: No restrictions at Garden View Funeral Home or Gardens of Memory Cemetery at this time, effective July 1, 2021. Thank you for your previous cooperation and patience.