Fern Nidana Hayes, 93, passed into glory on Saturday, March 1, 2014. She was born on January 10, 1921 to John and Matilda Nelson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 29 years John F. Hayes, her brothers Norman and Marvin Nelson, and her sister Marion Houdek. She is survived by her children Deborah (John) Whitehair of Batesville and John R. Hayes II of Columbus, Ohio and granddaughters Julia Whitehair of Herndon, Virginia and Jessica Whitehair of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fern was a devoted wife and mother and gifted homemaker who enjoyed cooking, decorating, conversation, reading, travel, and the arts. Locally, she was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Batesville and Grace Lutheran Church in Greensburg. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Memorial Park Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Chateau of Batesville and her friends for blessing Fern's life. A private family gravesite service will be held in Dayton. Arrangements are by Meyers Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be given to her favorite charities: the Salvation Army, Gideons International, Lutheran World Relief, and local food pantries.