Janet Hayward
-- 1938 ~ 2011 --

On October 19, 2011 Janet Hayward passed away, 6 months after the passing of her husband, Frank Hayward. Janet is survived by 7 children, 35 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Janet was born on August 20, 1938 in Wayne County, Illinois. She and her parents, Roy and Esther Melson, moved frequently throughout the course of her childhood. She spent her early childhood as an only child (her only brother, Roy, was born in 1949). As both her parents worked outside the home, she developed a strong sense of independence and self-sufficiency. But she always dreamed of having a big family of her own.

She met Frank, her husband to be, in high school and they were married after his first year of college. Her dream was soon a reality. Esther, Ed, Kathy, Jeanna, Jerry, Roy and Chuck eventually joined their family. Unlike her own childhood, Janet determined from the beginning to give her children the security of a large family. She was a stay-at-home mom, involved in every aspect of her children’s lives.

Along with her husband, Janet joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1962. This event enriched her life, leading her to serve in numerous positions in the church (everything from Sunday School teacher to pianist to Relief Society president). In fact, teaching and leading at church was a source of great fulfillment in her life. She was a master teacher and touched countless lives with her testimony and her example.

Janet was known for her kindness and sense of humor. It would be impossible to count the number of Christian acts of service she rendered throughout her 73 years. She never let an opportunity go by to feed beggars, baby sit for overwhelmed mothers, give anonymous gifts to those less fortunate etc. The Hayward household was always full of laughter and fun, largely due to her influence. She will be greatly missed, but all her family is comforted by the thought of her being able to rejoin her husband of 54 years, her parents and her brother.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 22,, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the American Fork 10th LDS Ward Chapel located at 507 North 600 West, American Fork, Utah. Interment will be in the Maple Hills Cemetery, Fairfield, Illinois. Funeral Directors - Warenski Funeral Home of American Fork, Utah.