Thekla "Terri" Elizabeth Hayes, 83 of Collinsville, IL, born May 11, 1937 in Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 with her family by her side.

Terri grew up in Chicago, IL and Hammond, IN.  She graduated from Hammond High School.  She went to college at SIU Carbondale where she met the love of her life, Clifford Hayes.  They married on December 21, 1958 at St. John UCC in Collinsville, IL.  Clifford was in the Air Force and they moved around but eventually settled in his childhood home of Collinsville in 1964 to raise their three children, Cheryl, Brian, and Carrie, and have lived here ever since.  Terri received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from SIU-E in 1966.  In 1972 she received her Master's in Business Education and continued her education through most of her life.

Terri started teaching for Collinsville Unit 10 in 1966.  She taught in the Business Department at Collinsville High School from 1967 to 1998 retiring after 32 years of service.  She taught homebound and night school and also took on other school activities.  Her husband was a teacher as well and they were blessed to be able to spend the summers together.

She, along with her husband, took on many projects which included farming, raising animals, starting an excavating business with their son, Hayes Excavating, and even building a small golf course, Sugarloaf Golf Course.  She also took on small bookkeeping jobs.

Terri was a longtime member of St. John UCC in Collinsville having joined the church in November of 1964 and was involved with the Mr. & Mrs. Couples Club and Homework Help and Hoops.  She was a member and past Treasurer and Vice President of the Madison County IL Retired Teachers Association, as well as a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and served on a past Board of Directors for the Unit #10 Credit Union.

She loved being a mother and a grandmother.  She enjoyed traveling and was lucky enough to go to Hawaii and Europe.  In her later years she enjoyed playing cards and socializing with friends.  But most of all, she enjoyed the time spent with her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira John and Thekla E. ( nee Bernartz ) Vis; her husband, Clifford Hayes, who passed away on August 25, 1998; an infant great-grandchild, Karter Plemons; a brother, Ira H. Vis; and mother and father-in-law, Harvey and Esther Hayes.

She is survived by her children, Cheryl (Dale) Varner of Collinsville, IL, Brian (fiancé Penny Souto) Hayes of Collinsville, IL, and Carrie (Clay) Fischer of Maryville, IL; seven grandchildren:  Staci (Nathan) Horton, Lindsey (Jimmy) Wilson, Jordan Varner, Brittany (Timmy) Plemons, Brianna Hayes, Kenna Fischer and Case Fischer; seven great-grandchildren:  Ava and Nora Horton, Kimber, Kenzie and Kora Plemons, Eli and Lyla Wilson; a nephew, Dr. Douglas (Michelle) Vis of Perry, OH and their children; a daughter-in-law, Tina Hayes of Collinsville, IL; other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 2 – 5pm on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home.  Due to the current COVID restrictions, social distancing guidelines will be observed and face masks are required.

Private funeral service will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021 with Pastor Jennifer Sowell Glover officiating.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.

Memorials may be made in Terri's honor to St. John UCC and will be received at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com