~ Elzy Andrew Hayden ~

(3/22)  By The Union Staff - Thu, Mar 22, 2001

Memorial services for Elzy Andrew Hayden of Grass Valley will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in the garden memorial chapel at Alta Sierra Biblical Gardens, 26343 Auburn Road.

Mr. Hayden died Sunday, March 18, at home. He was 53.

Born on Sept. 8, 1947, in Perron, Ark., he moved with his family to Grass Valley in 1948, where he lived most of his life. He joined the U.S. Army at age 17, served two tours as a helicopter door gunner and an infantryman, and was decorated as a Vietnam War hero. Mr. Hayden was a self-employed carpenter, miner and renowned gardener. He belonged to the Church of Camptonville.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie Hayden; daughter, Liesha Hayden of Grass Valley; mother, Mae Hayden of Redding; sisters Christine Hayden of North Carolina, Jan Short of Washington, Joanne Shuffield of North Carolina and Betty Hayden of Idaho; brothers Russell Hayden of Redding, Rick Hayden of Grass Valley and Michael Hayden of North Columbia; nieces Debbie and Sherry Hayden, Michelle Short, Leann Shuffield, Julie Wright and Melissa Southworth; and nephews Mike, Jason, Ryan, Jerrod and Dillon Hayden, Bill Southworth, Garrett and Dalton Hamilton, Chris, Jim and Robert Shuffield and Dan Short.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alvis Ferl Hayden; sister, Renita Vance; and brother, Doyle Hayden.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Foothills.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Angels.