David Hailey

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

David Hailey, of Bona, MO, departed this life surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar, MO at the age of 71.

He was born on January 15, 1953 in Springfield, MO to Byron “Kent” and Dorothy Leona (Glaze) Hailey. David was a lifetime resident of Bona, MO and a Dadeville High School graduate. He was united in marriage to Connie Elaine VanHooser on September 14, 1974 at the Dadeville Methodist Church; they recently celebrated 50 years of marriage together. 

David started milking Holsteins on the family dairy from a very young age. As his family grew he began working as an over the road truck driver. He could tell you about every road he had traveled, he never needed a map to get anywhere. 

Later in life David began a career as a postal carrier, eventually becoming the rural route carrier for the US Postal Service in Aldrich, MO. Many stories have been told of how he cared for those on his route, always making sure he made his deliveries regardless of the obstacles. David proudly ran that mail route until his stroke in 2017. The family was blessed with nearly 8 additional years to enjoy David at family gatherings and all the softball, baseball and basketball games that he could. 

David was a loving father and grandfather who was proud of his childrens and grandchildrens accomplishments. When he was not working he enjoyed fishing of all kinds, hunting, and frying fish in his garage. 

In his younger days David enjoyed pitching for the Bona slow pitch softball team making it to the state tournament one year. David's passion however was his family’s farm. He loved working the land of the Hailey Homestead which was passed down from several generations of Haileys before and will continue to be farmed by the Haileys for generations to come.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Kent and Dorothy Hailey; his brother, Steve Hailey; his grandparents, Clyde “Poppy” and Wylla “Granny” Hailey; and Hairy-Dog.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Hailey; three daughters, Christy Elaine Whittaker and husband Kyle of Marshfield, MO, Kelly Ann Presley and husband Curtis of Morrisville, MO, and Corry Lyn Worthington and husband Josh of Dadeville, MO; one son, David “Wade” Hailey and wife Tara (Groesbeck) of Bona, MO; fourteen grandchildren, Kale David Whittaker and wife Hannah (Thomas), Jade Aubre (Presley) Stander and husband Devin, Kyla Elaine (Whittaker) Aikins and husband Hudson, Hailey Ava Presley, Wriston John Worthington, Grayson Robert Worthington, Corbin Clyde Worthington, Graham Earl Hailey, Asher McInnes Hailey, Porter Wade Hailey, and Leo William Hailey; two great-grandchildren, Teddy Keith Aikins and soon to arrive Willa Belle Whittaker; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Bona Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bona Cemetery. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.