Local TV personality Jeannie Hayes, 29, dies after brief battle with leukemia

Online Staff Report

Jeannie Hayes, producer and anchor of WREX’s weekday noon newscast and host and producer of 13 Cares Sunday morning community talk show, has died. She was 29.

Hayes, who grew up in Granger, Ind., near South Bend, was hired by WREX in 2005. Often featuring animals and other community topics on 13 Cares, her calm and caring demeanor appealed to many viewers.

Local radio personality Steve Shannon wrote on The Steve Shannon Show’s Facebook page: “The Stateline Media Family has lost a wonderful young woman. WREX’s Jeannie Hayes has lost her short battle with Leukemia. Her joyful, playful and ALWAYS POSITIVE spirit is something ALL who knew her will miss. Our prayers are with her family & friends.”

In addition to her work with WREX, Hayes had also been co-host of the morning radio show on B103.

Hayes was hospitalized at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Tuesday, Nov. 6, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. She died Thursday night, Nov. 8. She leaves behind her parents and two sisters.

According to the WREX website: “Out of respect to her family and Jeannie, WREX will air tributes to Jeannie this evening [Friday, Nov. 9] on 13 News starting at 5:00 p.m. The pictures, stories and memories are endless, so we will try to compile the best in the way that we know Jeannie would want us to.”

Click here to read Hayes’ profile on WREX’s website.

Posted Nov. 9, 2012

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