James D. "Jim" Hayes, 57, of Chillicothe, passed 12:21 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023 in the Adena Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. He was born December 1, 1965, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to the late Andrew William and Shirley Parker Hayes. Surviving are his longtime companion, Beth A. Stith, of Chillicothe; step children, Heather Cruse and Nickoles (Marcia Simmons) Dailey; step grandchildren, Hayli Jones, Brylee Dailey, Jahson Cruse, Kyree Hickman and one the way, Hensley Desirae; sisters, Debbie (Scott) Dyke and Lynn (Roger) DeMint; nieces, Mindy (Devon) Shoemaker, Miranda Lynn (Casey) DeMint; nephews, Billy, Michael, Jeremy, Roger Lee DeMint, Jr. and Tim (Lindsay) DeMint, all of Chillicothe; great nieces and great nephews, Ashley, Alyssa, Crystal (Hayden) Leemaster,  Sophiah Lynn DeMint, Alexis, Timothy James DeMint., Hyde Andrew and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by a brother, William Andrew "Butch" Hayes; and his grandmother, who raised him, Thelma Parker. Jim was a United States Navy Veteran. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME. You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com