Elbert Hayes, age 97, of Rialto, California, formerly Bronson, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Ontario, California. Elbert was born July 1, 1913, in Bronson, Kansas, the son of Leroy David and Alice Mabel (Spragg) Hayes. He was raised on Park Lawn Farm northeast of Bronson. He was united in marriage to Helen G. Smart on July 11, 1932. This union was blessed with two sons. Elbert farmed until around 1943, then worked for International Harvester Dealers as a parts man at Fort Scott, Iola and Kingman, Kansas; and Cherokee, Oklahoma, until he retired. Elbert moved back to Iola for a short period of time before moving to Fort Scott City Lake in 1981 until 1998, when he moved to Rialto, California, to live with his youngest son Forrest and wife Connie. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Helen G. Hayes; his parents, Leroy David and Alice Mabel Hayes; two infant brothers, Alfred and Bruce; Floyd and wife Violet Hayes; Harry and wife Flora Hayes; Kenneth and Ruth Hayes; sisters Violet and husband Sile Daylong; Delpha Dodge; one nephew, James R. Daylong; and one niece Marialice (Hayes) Edwards. Elbert is survived by two sons, Elbert W. Hayes Jr. and wife Millie of Wichita; Forrest L. Hayes and wife Connie of Rialto, CA, and their four children, Forrest L. (Corky) Hayes and wife Marlene of McCall, ID; Micheal L. Hayes and wife Michelle of San Clemente, CA; Raelene D. Hayes and Chris of Flugerville, TX; B. Renee Freeman and husband Rance of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; four great grandchildren, Joshua, Jerrid, Adrianna Hayes of San Clemente, CA; Bryce Freeman of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, on March 30, 2011 at the Bronson Cemetery in Bronson, Kansas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com