Memorial services to celebrate the life of Jeffrey J. “Duke” Hayek, 53, a resident of Rock Island, will be Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.
His family will greet friends on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a service to follow at 6:00 p.m. Honoring his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. Inurnment will take place privately at a later date. Jeff died Saturday, December 18, 2010 in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his family.
Jeffery Joseph Hayek was born September 26, 1957 in Davenport, a son of James F. and Shirley (Huggins) Hayek. He was united in marriage to Connie Olson on August 21, 1999 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport.
Duke was a standout athlete at Davenport Central as a State Champion in the shot-put. He continued athletics at Mankato State University where he played football and later graduated. Prior to retiring for health reasons, Jeff had taught and coached in the Davenport School System and taught at Rock Island High School. His efforts to make learning science more enjoyable as the Putnam’s “Dr. Discovery” won him national recognition. Duke was also involved in coordinating outdoor activities for the YMCA’s former Summer Safari Program. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed fishing and deer hunting; but his greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife, Connie.
He is survived by his beloved wife Connie and his father, James F. Hayek, Latrobe, PA, his siblings and their spouses, two sisters, Joelyn and Bill Aukerman, Greensburg, PA; and Joany and Jeff Curtis of Westminster, MA; one brother, James and Eunice Hayek, Davenport; his mother and father-in-law, Dale and Betsy Olson, Woodstock, IL; his sister-in-law, Robyn and Steve Laufenberg, Belvidere, IL; and a brother-in-law, Dale Olson, Jr., Woodstock, IL; as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and a sister, Julie Hayek.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Jeff’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
