Rodney “Rod” Hays, age 73, of Mitchell, Indiana, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, passed away on December 20, 2022.

He was a man of few words who was largely self-taught, did things in his own way, and lived a unique life. Rod enjoyed building and fixing things. He designed and built new houses, did extensive rehabilitation of older houses, made custom built cabinets, bought a sawmill and hewed planks from trees he harvested from his property to use in his projects, and repaired cars. Rod had recently passed certification and was the only person licensed to install septic systems in his county and did this so that he could install his own septic system. He also enjoyed lifting weights and exceeded his 2022 goal of deadlifting 315 pounds.

Survivors include his siblings, Samuel Keith and Kathy Hays; and son, Shawn Hays.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Alice (Baker) Hays.

Rod Hays will be laid to rest next to his parents in Richmond, Indiana. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond.