Published on November 12, 2025 4:38 pm
Last Updated on November 12, 2025 4:38 pm
Jeffery A. Hayden (“Sheep” or “Sheep Dog”), of Shelbyville, passed peacefully at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield on Sunday, November 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Jeff was born September 3, 1960, the son of Ronald Eugene “Gene” and Patricia “Pat” Hayden (née Hebert). He and his younger brother, Gary, were known to get into many hijinks in their youth.
(Although perhaps more infrequently, those hijinks continued into adulthood.) Jeff was an avid sports fan and played baseball, softball, football, basketball, and golf for many years. His love for the St. Louis Cardinals burned just as passionately as other family members’ love of the Chicago Cubs. (Despite this, love prevailed.) As he grew up, he earned the nickname of “Sheep” or “Sheep Dog” because of his long blonde/white hair. Jeff was married to Kim Fox, and later, Andrea Kroenlein. With Andrea, Jeff had his sons, Brock and Blake Hayden, whom he loved even more passionately than he loved the Cardinals. Jeff worked for several businesses in the surrounding area, including Shelbyville Community Services, International Paper (Graphic Packaging), RR Donnelly in Mattoon, (later LSC Communications), and, most recently, Shelbyville Walmart. Well-wishes from fellow employees of these businesses after his passing have confirmed that he was well-liked by his coworkers. He was known for bringing in fried pumpkin blossoms to share with coworkers and was always eager to ask someone “how they were doing”. Employers changed. Friendships did not. Despite setbacks and health complications, Jeff remained jovial, and was a lover of socializing, food and drink. He loved (and was loved by) anyone he could share a good time with, and was always a good sport, even when a few too many drinks at the Shelbyville Moose Lodge made him proclaim “those guys are trying to kill me.” His care team at St. John’s stated he was a jokester (and a bit of a stinker, but a forgivable one) and he was overheard telling nursing staff to “hang out with him and watch the ballgame” when they made their rounds. Jeff insisted his loved ones “not make a big deal” about him for the purposes of his funeral services.
To honor his wishes, a graveside service will be held for family and close friends so he may be laid to rest near his parents in Glenwood Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date so all who love Jeff can share stories, food, drinks, and as many laughs as they can muster. Jeff would insist attendees of either event wear whatever they would like. For those who wish to express their sympathy in the form of a gift, the family kindly requests funeral fund donations. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville is assisting the family.
Jeff is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Pat and Gene, ex-wife, Andrea Kroenlein, many beloved pets, and his “deer baby” (no relation).
Surviving is his brother, Gary (Lorrie) of Shelbyville, his sons, Blake and Brock, niece and nephew, Derek and Kristin, great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and many cousins and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.
Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.