Jerome A. Hayford, 77, of Sparta, died Sunday, February 19, 2006 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse. He was born on February 20, 1928 in St. Paul, MN to Carl and Violet (Martineau) Hayford. He grew up in the St. Paul area. He worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad and then enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He served in the Navy from 1945 until 1946.

     After being discharged from the service he worked at various St. Paul and Minneapolis hotels as a bellhop. Jerome then worked as a machinist in the Twin Cities area.

     He lived in California for a few years and then returned to Minneapolis. Jerome married Marilyn Robinson on November 27, 1993 in Minneapolis. After marriage they lived in Crosby, MN and moved to Sparta in 2004. He was an avid reader and enjoyed camping.

     He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Sparta; a son, Jarred (Lynnette) Hayford of Indianapolis, IN; five daughters, Siobhan (Tom) Hudson of Georgia, Chantal St. Claire of St. Paul, MN, Rhonda (Dana) Olmeim of Mound View, MN, Gail (Mark) Streifel of Sparta, Debra (Dennis) DeGori of LasVegas, NV; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two sisters, Marc (Ostal) Layton of Seattle, WA; Ellen (Paul) Church of Coon Rapids, MN, and his best friend, Jacob.

     He was preceded in death by his parents.

     Memorial services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta with Reverend Matthew E. Toso officiating.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.