James H. “Jim” Hayden, age 77, of Liberty died on Saturday, February 22, 2020 in his home, on the farm that’s been in the Hayden family for 155 years. He was born on June 29, 1942 in Chillicothe, OH, the son of Paul and Wilma (Carl) Hayden. Jim married Barbara A. Pendleton on September 7, 1964 in North Carolina.

Jim was a 1960 graduate of Liberty High School and attended the FBI Academy, Quantico, VA. He was a criminal investigator for the FBI and a special investigative agent thru the US Bureau of Prisons, he retired in 1993.

He was a longtime member of the NRA, and Knights of Columbus. Jim and Barb enjoyed traveling, and has traveled to Ireland twice, and also to Alaska and England, where they visited a former exchange student, Catherine Pretswell, who previously lived with them for awhile. He was proud of the longevity of the family farm, and the honor they received as a Sesquicentennial Farm in August 2015 at the Illinois State Fair. He loved to read and go out to eat. He also was very fond of his dog Gracie. Jim had a wonderful way of relating to and supporting the young people in his life.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; two daughters: Tammy (Chad) Cole of Williamstown, MO and Rebecca (Rick) Hedrick of Liberty; grandchildren: Brendan Brand of Quincy, Joseph Brand of Hannibal, MO, Megan Hedrick of Liberty, Ryan Hedrick of Liberty; a sister, Paula Clark; brother-in-law, John Pendleton, Clayton, IL and sister-in-law Sue Langston of Tulsa, OK. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Charles Hayden, granddaughter, Feliesha Ward and brother-in-law, Ed Clark.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid Catholic Church. Interment in Xander Cemetery, Liberty, IL. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and Friday morning from 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid Catholic Church, Liberty, IL.

Memorials are suggested to Piarist School:
P.O. Box 369
7279 S KY Rt 321 Hagerhill, KY 41222