Hayden E. Heller

If you were fortunate enough to meet him, you didn’t forget him. All die, but not all live. Hayden lived! He fiercely packed so much into his life that this small space could not contain his Lion heart. Hayden proudly displayed his Native American heritage. He got a thrill out of Nascar, Iron City Beer, and football; more specifically the Superbowl which he attended numerous times. His passion for hard work, family, and friends are all unmatched.

SME (Standard Machine & Equipment) is where Hayden proudly worked for over forty years as a VP and Superintendent of demolition crews. Hayden traveled across many states with his work; in which four of his older sons would periodically work with him as young adults. They learned a lot about the trade, hard physical labor, life on the road, and most importantly about their father. His son, Eric, proudly retells the story of Hayden breaking his leg at work one day. Without skipping a beat Hayden put his hand on Eric’s shoulder and said, “Youngblood, help me get in the truck.” It wasn’t until later at the hospital that Eric realized Hayden didn’t want his crew to see him hurt. He was the toughest man most have ever met.

Hayden was the eldest of Arthur and Phoebe Heller’s children. His parents and siblings Freddy, Patricia, Shelby, and Bud, a Vietnam veteran, were all in heaven waiting for him. Hayden was also predeceased by his sons Hayden Jr. and Bryan Hayden Heller. Hayden was also reunited with his beloved dog Scruffy, who was his constant companion for the last fifteen years.

Hayden’s appreciation of fine meals and sitting with family and telling stories will forever be appreciated and remembered by his children: Arthur (Anna), Christopher, Eric AKA “Youngblood” (Wendy), Alysse (Tony), and Bradley; his fourteen grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. The many legends will live on in stories to these generations of Hayden’s unbelievable strength and charm; and let’s not forget those killer blue eyes.

Hayden was blessed to be married at the time of his death to his great love, Becky Geier. They had met over forty years ago. Reconnecting in 2014, they traveled between Tennessee and Ohio for the past decade in which Hayden always said, “We never say goodbye because we will always be together again” The stars finally aligned for them as the married in June of 2024 and Hayden made Barberton, Ohio his home.

A special thank you to Hayden’s team of caregivers Amber, Nanita, and Rhonda for taking exceptional care of him.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.