Joseph G. Hayden, Sr., of Sharpsville (South Pymatuning Township) passed away Friday, June 3, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 89.

Mr. Hayden was born June 15, 1926, in Monessen (Westmoreland County), PA a son of the late Thomas M. Hayden, Jr. and Media A. Harvey Hayden. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp where he was first assigned to Oceanside, California. He was part of the 1st Marine Division, 8th Amphibious Battalion as a tractor operator and promoted to Sergeant. In the Pacific Theater, he served in the invasions of Palau and Okinawa.

He had a strong catholic faith and was a member of St. Joseph Church in Sharon. He belonged to Carpenters Local Union #922; 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Butler; member and past president of the Builder's Association of Eastern Ohio and Western PA; member of Hermitage VFW; the former Sharon Country Club; and a former board member of St. John XXIII.

He was an avid golfer and participated on numerous golf teams at the Sharon Country Club. He was awarded numerous trophies throughout his golfing career including a hole in one.

He enjoyed woodworking; traveling to Europe, Las Vegas and Hawaii with his loving wife; and hunting, including expeditions to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, British Columbia and Newfoundland.

Joe was a Steelers, Pirates and Penn State fan and enjoyed attending football games.

He was a devoted and fun loving husband, father, and grandfather (Papa) with a generous big heart. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren's activities and keeping up with everyone's latest news. He will be sadly missed by all those who loved him.

Surviving are: a son, Greer Hayden and his wife Sally, Hermitage; a daughter, Debra M. McElhaney and her husband S. Dean McElhaney, Jamestown; four grandchildren, Jered McElhaney and his wife Tennille, Jenna Hayden-Freas and her husband Brian, Danielle Hill and her husband Justin and Erin Brown and her husband Alex, and six great-grandchildren, Christian and Karis McElhaney; Elizabeth and Andrew Hill; and Miya and Avery Freas; a sister, Doris Walch, Sarasota, Fla; a brother-in-law, Arthur Morrow, W. Sunbury, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, Joe was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter; an infant son, two sisters, Joyce Graham and Judy Morrow; and two brothers, Thomas Hayden III and Patrick Hayden.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2016, in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the Hickory VFW Honor Guard.