Who is Earley Hayes from Handling Sin: A Novel and what is their importance?

Earley Hayes drives the plot from beginning to end. Suffering from a major heart condition, he isn't expected to live long. Thus, when he recognizes a teenage girl in the hospital that he believes might be his sister's granddaughter.... the scavenger hunt begins. As a result of the hunt.... Earley gets to see his family reunited, as well as changed by the experience.