Donald L. Haywood

Donald LeRoy Haywood Sr., 80, of Hastings, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at a hospital near his winter home in Florida shortly after a second surgery related to recently discovered cancer.\r
Mr. Haywood believed in hard work and honesty. That work ethic, along with his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, led to many friendships and accomplishments. But he saved boasting only to express the pride he had in his family. It is that love that will be missed the most.\r
Born in Hastings on July 24, 1927, to Ray and Meta Haywood, Mr. Haywood was raised on the family farm. He joined the Navy and was heading toward the Pacific war zone when World War II ended.\r
After leaving the service, he returned to the Hastings area and married Joan Hewitt in 1949. The duo proved to be a potent team for the next 58 years. After working as a farmer, butcher, and sales manager at E.W. \r
Bliss and attending Western Michigan and Michigan State universities, Mr. Haywood saw the country's growing interest in leisure activities as a business opportunity. With the help of his wife and their two sons, he \r
bought some land and transformed his grandfather's farm into the River Bend Golf Course in 1963. He continued to offer volunteer assistance on the golf course for many years after selling the business in the 1970s.\r
He and his family went on to launch River Bend Travel Agency in 1970s, where Mr. Haywood and his wife led many group trips across the globe.\r
After selling the agency in the 1980s, Mr. Haywood worked a few years as a Realtor with Miller Real Estate. He earned Realtor of the Year honors and played a part in the deal that transformed the former Barry County Fairgrounds into a shopping plaza. He was a past president in the Rotary Club, a member of the American Legion and served on the Board of Directors of National Bank of Hastings for several years.\r
An artist with cement, Mr. Haywood created hundreds of lawn ornaments that were sold at area shops and his front yard. He used his building talent to construct 13 homes with his sons.\r
After working together on many business ventures, Mr. Haywood and his wife continued to be a good team in retirement. They were known by family members and neighbors in Florida for organizing elaborate themed \r
parties. They chose to live a modest lifestyle and filled their lives with such simple things as family, friends, card games, ice cream and bike rides.\r
Mr. Haywood is now reunited with his golf partner and son, Donald Jr., who died in 2002. He is survived by his wife; son, Marty and Connie Haywood, of Hastings; brothers, Eugene and Joyce Haywood, of Florida, and Robert Haywood of Hastings; sisters Merita ""Rita"" and Marlin \r
Walters, and Rosetta ""Rose"" and Ed McMillen, all of Hastings; two grandchildren, Jeff and Jennifer Haywood, of Kentwood, and Sabrina and Matt Christy of Tecumseh; and four great-grandchildren.\r
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Green St. in Hastings, with the Rev. Kathy Brown and Dr. Michael Anton co-officiating. Visitation will be held before the service \r
at 10 a.m. He will be buried at Rutland Charter Township Cemetery during a private ceremony. A luncheon for friends and family will be held following the service. Arrangements are being handled by Girrbach \r
Funeral Home in Hastings.\r
Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).\r