Clifford Hayman

Although life will never be the same without Clifford Hayman here, the impact he made in the lives around him will remain for generations to come. He taught others timeless lessons in character, faith, and love that have shaped them into the people they are today. With the love of his life by his side for 72 years, Cliff watched his family tree grow to include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were all his greatest source of pride and joy. He will surely be deeply missed, but Cliff’s family and friends find comfort in knowing that death has no sting for those who believe and look forward to a glorious reunion in their eternal home.

Nearly a century has passed since America welcomed in the decade of the Roaring Twenties. This was the decade of ballroom dancing, jazz music, speakeasies, and the explosion of American baseball when prosperity was the dominant force. There were more automobiles on the road than ever before while air travel was soaring to new heights. Nestled in the beginning of this vibrant time was the year 1920 that brought great joy to one young couple from Cambridge, Ohio, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby boy on October 27th. Clifford L. was one of four children born to his parents, Earl and Madge (Robertson) Hayman, and was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Theda Mae, Ted, and Donna. Throughout his formative years Cliff experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. His Mom and Dad had a party and he and his brother, both loving a good joke, came dressed as women just to see the reaction on his Mothers face. They loved to play pranks on their Mother. In later years, he visited her in California and went with her to see the many sites. He wanted to capture those special memories so he purchased a video camera when he came home and then took another trip to visit and went to the same sites.

Life was forever changed for Cliff when he met the woman with whom he would write a love story that would span more than 70 years. Her name was Emily “June” Markins, and after falling deeply in love Cliff married his sweetheart on June 29, 1940, in Ohio. The newlyweds were soon separated for a time as he was called to serve his country during WWII. Cliff was part of the 789th Division in the United States Army and courageously fought during the Battle of the Bulge.

Together Cliff and his wife were overjoyed to welcome two daughters into their hearts and home: Joy and Karla. They provided their girls with a childhood that was rooted in love and covered in faith while modeling what marriage is truly intended to be. Cliff and June never let the sun go down on their anger and worked through their differences with grace and sacrificial love. They still had fun together throughout their entire married life as evidenced by the time that Cliff hid June’s nightgown in his baritone! They both would agree, however, that the essential ingredient in their marriage and home life was their unwavering prayers that blanketed every aspect of their lives. To support his family Cliff worked as an assistant registrar for Olivet Nazarene University for 20 years before retiring in 1986.

Cliff genuinely fulfilled God’s command to be the leader in his family - both emotionally and spiritually. He modeled for his daughters what it truly means to be the hands and feet of the God he served. As they welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the fold, Cliff’s godly legacy was modeled for them as well. Being musically inclined himself, he always encouraged his younger generations to try a variety of instruments. Cliff never thought of the spouses of his children and grandchildren as in-laws, but he welcomed them into both the family and his heart as though they were his own. Susie loved celebrating her birthday with her grandfather for many years, and there was nothing like Christmastime in Cliff’s home. They hosted Christmas at their home well into their eighties and commonly watched old videos or horse races they taped at the fair. Everyone always picked their favorite horse, and of course Cliff and June had a wrapped present for both the winner and the loser. Susie and her grandfather shared their dislike for spinach, so their tradition of wrapping up the spinach can to exchange between the two of them was another fun family tradition at Christmas.

Throughout his life Cliff had many interests, and he loved sharing them with his loved ones, too. There were many games of golf and billiards played with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren including yearly golf outings with his grandson, Jeff. Cliff often took his great-grandchildren out behind the house to play softball and golf. It comes as no surprise with Cliff’s fun-loving side that he even encouraged Katie to hit the ball far enough to break the window of the nearby school! Of course there were always special snacks, drinks, and straws for their great-grandchildren when they visited, and special gifts were also a regular occurrence. Cliff had a way of making each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel uniquely loved. Caleb will always treasure the pocket-watch that had been Cliff’s grandfather’s that Cliff passed on to him, and Cory felt so special when Cliff gave him a harmonica of his own. He was into photography and loved taking priceless pictures of his great-grandchildren. Cliff was also a member of the VFW and enjoyed chess and bowling, too.

Faith was a cornerstone in Cliff’s life throughout his entire journey. He knew his Bible frontwards and backwards and was a member of College Church of the Nazarene. Wherever Clifford attended church he was an active. In his early years of serving the Lord he filled the roles of Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, orchestra leader and choir director.

All who knew Clifford Hayman would agree that there was no one quite like him. He didn’t have a serious bone in his body and loved joking around to the point where it was often hard to distinguish when he was being serious. He and his brother in law, who was blind, enjoyed playing Rook with a brail deck of cards. He told him that the reason they lost was that they were playing with a blind deck. Cliff’s devotion to his family was unmatched, and he mentored not only his own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also so many other young people within his reach. The values Cliff modeled provide us all with much to aspire for, and the shining legacy he leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those too numerous to count. He will be deeply missed.

Clifford L. Hayman of Bourbonnais died on August 21, 2012. Cliff’s family includes his wife, Emily June Markins of Bourbonnais; daughter, Karla Grable of Bourbonnais; son-in-law, Vernon [Dee] Grable of Bradley; four grandchildren, Trina [Matt] Grable Meyering, Suzie [Jeff] Grable Enfield, Tawni [Kyle] Grable Buente, and Shaun [Krista] Grable; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Donna Arp of CA; two nieces and one nephew; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Cliff was preceded in death by his daughter, Joy Grable; son-in-law, David Grable; sister, Theda Mae Ward; and brother, Ted Hayman. A gathering for family friends will be Monday, August 27 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Schreffler Lifestory Funeral Home, Bourbonnais Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. with one hour visitation prior to College Church of the Nazarene, College Campus, Bourbonnais, IL with the Rev. Kendall Franklin officiating and Dr. John Bowling giving the eulogy. The committal will be held by Dr. Mark Quanstrom at Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Aroma Township. The Pallbears will be; Doug Perry, Jim Knight, Shaun Grable, Caleb Enfield, Kyle Buente, Matt Meyering, John Hanson and Abe Mathai and Honorary; Efton Elliott, Melvin Elliott, Royce Perkins, Claude Snodgrass, Christian Malloy, Tobey Malloy, Harold E. Arp and Jeff Enfield . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Olivet Nazarene University. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.