A Private Funeral for Hayes

Private funeral services were held Monday for the family and close friends of former Ohio State University football coach Woody Hayes, while preparations continued for a public memorial service.

A spokesman for Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, which is handling funeral arrangements for Hayes, said a private service was held Monday at the funeral home. Hayes’ cremated remains are to be interred at Union Cemetery, but the Schoedinger spokesman said that would occur at a later date.

The spokesman, who did not give his name, would not disclose any other information about the private service.

Hayes, 74, who coached the Buckeyes for 28 seasons, died of a heart attack last Thursday at his suburban Columbus home.

The Rev. Barry L. Johnson, senior minister, and the Rev. Arthur Sanders, pastor emeritus, will officiate at a public memorial service this afternoon at First Community Church in suburban Marble Cliff. Johnson noted that he’s found no shortage of people willing to reminisce at the public services about the feisty man who coached for 33 years.

“There have been plenty of volunteers. They were standing in line,” he said.

Former President Richard Nixon is among the people scheduled to speak at the service. Former President Gerald Ford, who had indicated an interest in attending the service, will not attend, according to OSU officials contacted by the Secret Service.