Sara Hayward, 83

Oct. 1, 1938 —

Jan. 10, 2022

 

LEWISTOWN - Sara Leone Hayward, age 83, of Lewistown, Pa. died on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. 

She was born on Oct. 1, 1938, in Bedford, Pa., the youngest daughter of the late Fred O. Beegle and Mildred L. (Mellott) Beegle. 

Sara grew up on the family farm in Friends Cove, Colerain Township, Bedford. She worked the farm with her father and younger brother, Roger. She milked, fed the animals and did field work. She always had a pet lamb in the spring. 

Sara said she was embarrassed as a child because of the cow manure on her one pair of shoes she received per year. The city kids on the bus didn’t have that problem. 

She carried filled milk cans to the platform along the road to be picked up. The cans were heavy for a young woman, but Sara was strong, and it was the Depression. 

Every Saturday, they filled the stake-bodied truck with fresh straw and went to town for supplies. The three girls sat in the back of the truck in the fresh straw. They each got a dime to spend in town. Once, as a very little girl, her oldest sister was given two nickels, and Sara cried because she thought her sister got more money. 

As a hostess, at the Howard Johnson’s on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Sara met John, a Pennsylvania State Trooper assigned to traffic control on the Turnpike. He was required to have permission from his Commanding Officer of Troop G Pennsylvania State Police. They married on Oct. 16, 1958, in Philipsburg, Pa. 

Their Minister was David Wilkerson, who shortly after that moved to New York City. A book and movie, The Cross and The Switchblade, were made of Brother Wilkerson’s ministering to those in need. 

In September of the next year, while nine months pregnant with her son, Sara’s mother called and said, “Sara, Daddy needs help putting up hay.” The needs of the farm were unending. 

The couple was married 54 years, until John’s death on April 10, 2013.

Sara was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lewistown, First German Reformed for most of her life. She spoke often of Salvation in Christ. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She was extremely supportive of family. In her later years, Sara enjoyed watching football and seeing her children grow in Christ throughout their lives. She is now in a far better place, at the right hand of Jesus, kneeling in prayer and worship, with no earthly wants or desires. Sara will be deeply missed by all. We will see you soon Mom.

She is survived by her son, John J. (Debra) Hayward III of Cresco, Iowa; daughter, Stacy L. (Robert) Kirschner of Meriden, Conn.; grandchildren, Katherine (Jonathan) Vanase and Joseph (Savannah) Kirschner; great-grandchildren, Elena and Anthony Vanase; and sisters, Faye Grimes and Marjorie Smiley. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Hayward, Jr.; brother, Roger Beegle; and her parents.