(Obituary provided by Lausau-Evans Funeral Home)

Allen E. "Gene" Hayden age 82 passed away Friday November 30, 2012 in Enid Senior Care. He was born May 9, 1930 in Osawatomie, KS to Rachel Inez Graves Hayden and William Wallace Hayden.

He graduated from Osawatomie High School in May of 1950 and then married Rita Faye Cortner on September 5, 1950; to this union 4 children were born Jeff, Cathy, Mark and Elaine.

He worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a switchman and brakeman. He then went to work for Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance Co. until he became an independent agent and retired in the 1980's.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, football, golfing, being on the computer, telling stories and jokes, spending time with his family and friends and making everyone crack up with his wonderful sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 10 brothers and sisters, a daughter Elaine Marie Hoeltzel and a granddaughter Laura Dawn Hoeltzel.

He is survived by his wife Rita of 62 years, a son Jeff and wife Paula Hayden of Albuquerque, NM, a daughter Cathy Wright and husband Elmer of Butler, MO and a son Mark and wife Deborah Hayden of Bella Vista, Arkansas, 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 5, 2012. Funeral services will be held at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, Osawatomie, KS 2 pm Friday, December 7, 2012. Burial will follow in the Osawatomie Cemetery under the direction of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.