Harold "Hooter" Mayes

Hooter Mayes was born to Elvin and Blanche (Pilkinton) Mays on March 6, 1929 in Florence, Alabama. He served his country with pride as a member of the United States Marine Corp in the Korean War after which he moved to Mishawaka, IN where he met his wife Mary (Mangum) who survives. Hooter found employment at Wheelabrator Fry. He took an early retirement and moved his wife to Waterloo, AL where they built his dream house on 40 acres in "the holler". They eventually returned to Mishawaka to be near their children and grandchildren. Hooter loved his brothers and sisters Walter Mayes, Buford Mayes, Richard Mayes, Christine Leanza, Evelyn Buchman and Dorothy Hopwood all who proceeded him in death along with a great grandchild Mayzie Weiss. 

He is survived by his son Keith Mayes (Michele) and his daughter Carla Hartman Myers (Mark) along with his grandchildren Jason Mark Skene (Dawn), Johanna Sue Quam (Adam), Kelly Jo Weiss (Michael) and Tracy Elizabeth Myers. His great grandchildren include Dominic Esposito, Taelor Johnson, Zoie Quam, Layla Weiss, Magnolia Weiss, Lucy Skene, Crosby Weiss, Ben Weiss and of all of them he remarked that he only had beautiful babies. He had numerous nieces and nephews all of whom he loved dearly. He had a special relationship with his nephew Garrett Mangum. 

Hooter loved to golf, enjoyed coaching at the East End Little League and playing and coaching on the Wheelabrater 16" slowpitch softball team. He thought a good day was on a boat with a fishing line in the water or on the front nine of Eberhardt Golf Course. He was a lover of all people, children, and animals. 

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be on December 16, 2018. Extended family, friends, old ball players and golfing buddies are invited to join in the celebration on December 16th from 1-3 p.m. at Club 15 - 425 W Jefferson - Mishawaka, IN. Online condolences may be sent through www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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