Hays A Adams

Hays A. Adams, 81, of 10 Taylor St., Franklin, died at 1:05 a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2008, at UMPC Northwest, Seneca. Born Jan. 12, 1927, in Franklin, he was the son of Plumer and Hazel Higbee Adams. Mr. Adams worked as a painter and tow motor operator at Joy Manufacturing, retiring after 42 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during World War II. Mr. Adams was a life member of the Franklin Moose Chapter 669. He received the Pilgrim Degree and was devoted to Moose Heart, spending numerous hours visiting this organization. He was also a life member of the Oil City VFW. He enjoyed wrestling, NASCAR, baseball, football and trips to Salamanca, N.Y., to gamble. Mr. Adams was married Feb. 22, 1975, to Ruth Johnson, who preceded him in death. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth H. Adams and his wife Rose of Oil City and Keith Kightlinger of Utah; two daughters, Brenda Sensenbach of Franklin and Connie Oakes of Oil City; 32 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Gail Smith and her husband Darrell of San Diego; his former wife, Joan Hovis Attleberger of Franklin; and a special friend. He was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Ruth Adams; a son, William E. Kightlinger; three daughters, Nancy Deal, Jackie McCarty and Kimberly King; five brothers, Wayne, Clyde, Russell, Boyd and Dean Adams; and three sisters, Elizabeth Monahan, Merlie Adams and Shirley Smith. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Penny Adams, niece of Mr. Adams and pastor of Summit Chapel United Methodist Church, Johnstown, officiating. Military honors will be provided by the VETS Honor Guard at Franklin Cemetery. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Moose Heart, c/o Moose Heart Charities, 155 South International Drive, Mooseheart IL 60539 or Moose Haven, 1701 Park Ave., Orange Park, Fla., 32073 Online condolences may be sent to www.gardinierfuneralhome.com