Dr. Loy B. HAYS

Virden Recorder, Wednesday, 14 August 1985, page 7:

Dr. Loy B. Hays, 535 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, died Wednesday, July 31, in Chicago.

Born in Atwater May 27, 1900, he was the son of Eli and Neaty Elizabeth Seymour Hays. He was a member of the Atwater Christian church.

He was a veteran of World War I, discharged in 1919. Dr. Hays was employed by State Bank of Virden from 1919 until 1925. In 1919 he organized the Red Coats Jazz Orchestra which played for several years throughout Central Illinois, St. Louis and other cities. In the fall of 1929 Dr. Hays toured Canada with another Red Coats orchestra. In 1931-32 he returned downstate and organized another 5 piece "Red Coats" combo.

He graduated Oct. 4, 1935 as a Doctor of Surgical Chiropody and began private practice of podiatry, later moving from an office in the Chicago Loop to one on Michigan Avenue's magnificent mile. He was on the staff of the West Side Veterans Hospital 1954-59.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents was a brother, E. Lee Hays in 1977. Surviving are cousins, Dr. A. E. Seymour of Virden and Evelyn Ebe, Carlinville.

Services were at 11 a.m. August 5 at Forest Glen Chapels, with interment in Bohemian National cemetery, Chicago.