Ersel R. Hayes, Jr.

Ersel Roosevelt Hayes, Jr., 60 of Yankton, formerly of Sioux City, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2013 at the Sr. James/Yankton Care Center. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 9, 2013 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Mike Sutton of the Sioux City Gospel Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Ersel was born on June 28, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Ersel R. and Betty (Gribbs) Hayes Sr. The family relocated to Sioux City where Ersel received his education in the Sioux City Public Schools, graduating from Central High. He continued his education at Ellsworth Community College for two years with a football scholarship before transferring to Western Iowa Tech where he earned his degree as a Master Gardener in horticulture. He had his own yard care business named Ersel's Lawn Care in Sioux City for years. Ersel married Mary Olsen of Yankton, South Dakota in January of 1982. He was "born again" in the early eighties rejoicing in the love of his Lord. Ersel recently worked at the Home Depot before his health forced his retirement. Ersel is survived by his daughters Melissa Hayes of Eldorado, Arkansas and Kamaria Hayes of Yankton, South Dakota; sons Tyson Hayes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ersel Hayes III and his wife Jessica of Yankton, South Dakota, Nathaniel Hayes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Charles Hayes of Yankton, South Dakota, and Travis Hayes of Yankton, South Dakota; brothers Gary Hayes and his wife Evelyn and Enoch Hayes of Sioux City; sisters Debra Williams and her husband David of Kansas City, Missouri, Denise Evens and Christine Hayes, both of Sioux City; and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Ersel was preceded in death by his parents and brother David Hayes. Pallbearers for the service will be Ersel Hayes III, Charles Hayes, Denzel Hayes, Desmond Hayes, Dominic Hayes, and Bryant Hayes.