OBITUARY: Oral Hale

Oral Hale, 89, Harrisburg, passed away at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.1, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

He was born on January 27, 1924, in Harrisburg to the late James and Nellie Blanche (Gibbons) Hale. On Oct. 20, 1967, he married Ernestine Bryant and she survives. Oral was employed by N.Y. Central Railroad Company, later he worked as a custodian for the Harrisburg Unit 3 School District for 19 years. After retirement, he worked part-time as a parking attendant for Harrisburg Medical Clinic.

Surviving family members include his wife: Ernestine Hale of Harrisburg; cousins: Charline Murrie of Harrisburg, Louise VanDeusen of Marion, Sam Gibbons of Pontiac, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, cousins, Jesse Hale, Claude Hale, Elbert Hale, Dale Gibbons, Martha Ann Edwards and Betty Jean Katske.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg. Those wishing to attend are asked to gather at the cemetery. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of the American Diabetes Foundation.

Envelopes will be available at the cemetery. Reed Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.