Alex “Joe” Joseph Hays, 85, Sandy Lake, passed away at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Oakwood Heights Nursing Home, Oil City. after a period of failing health.

Born in Franklin on Sept. 21, 1931, he was a son of Alex T. and Adda M. Hughes Hays.

Joe was a member of the Franklin High School class of 1949.

He worked a short time in the construction business and then in 1951 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was a Korean War veteran and was honorably discharged in 1954.

After coming back home he began working at Polk State School and Hospital in the maintenance department as a plasterer for over 30 years and retired in 1985 from what now is Polk Center.

Joe loved flea markets and auctions. He also enjoyed collecting rocks and processing them to make jewelry; he was a member of the Gem Club of New Castle.

He was a member of the Sandy Creek Grange and had attended the Congress Hill Church of God.

His wife, the former Marion June Perry, whom he married Feb. 2, 1955, preceded him in death May 11, 2001.

They had a son, Steven Joseph Hays, and he passed away Dec. 4, 2010. Joe was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

He leaves behind his caregivers, Frank E. Wilkinson and his wife Debbie of Polk, who were very good about taking care of Joe in his later years; good friends Duane Doutt of Polk and Bill Pounds (an Air Force buddy) of Hooker, Pa.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and son, a sister, Mary Elizabeth Calvin and her husband Raymond; and a brother, Lee Jacob Hays, preceded him in death.

Calling hours: 6 p.m. to time of service Thursday, January 5, 2017, in the Sandy Lake Funeral Home of Scott A. Black, 3236 South Main Street, Sandy Lake.

Service: Memorial service at 7 p.m. Thursday with Rev. Beth Creekpaum, pastor of Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Internment will be at the Old Sandy Cemetery in Polk.