James Michael Hayes, 72 of Geist, IN, passed away on Friday December 29th, 2017. Jim was born in Chicago, IL to the late George and Alma Hayes. He graduated from St. Mel High School in 1963.  Jim moved to and settled in Rockford, Illinois in the 1970s and then the Indianapolis area in the 1990s working as an accountant at various companies. Jim was an accomplished drag racer in his youth and loved his white 1995 Corvette. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks. He spent many summers with his older brother at the Bears training camp at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN.He is survived by  his sons Brian (Erin) of Algonquin, IL and David (Sarah) of Louisville, KY, brother Robert (Carolyn) of Winter Haven, FL, nephews Michael (Patti) of Stamford, CT and Matthew of Gaffney, SC and sister Eileen of Lakeland, FL.   Memorial contributions can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF.org).