Donald Lee Hale

Donald Lee Hale, 87, entered into the love and presence of his savior on July 15, 2022. He was born in Dora, Missouri on October 15, 1934, son to Melvin and Millie (Young) Hale. In 1954 Donald Married the love of his life, Norma Heinrich in West Plains, Missouri. In the same year he entered active duty serving in the Korean War with the U.S. Marine Corp. until his discharge in 1956. After he was discharged Donald worked at Cloud Oak Flooring in West Plaines, Missouri until 1967 when their family moved to Rockford, Illinois. There he completed his working career, retiring in 1990 from Belvidere Chrysler. In his free time, Donald enjoyed and excelled in many outdoor activities. He enjoyed competitive sport all around the U.S in golfing, fishing, stock car racing, hunting, bowling, playing billiard pool, water skiing and boxing when he was in the Marine Corp. He also enjoyed staying home and working in the garage, proudly working and painting the body and fenders of cars, or reworking motors. Donald and Norma enjoyed weekend camping, boating, and their frequent visits to Missouri for family picknicks and holidays.

Donald will lovingly be remembered by his children, Charlotte Hale “Sherry” Hensel, Tambula “Tammy” Hale, his grandchildren, Shawndee Hensel (great-grandson Joel) Kaeleb Hensel, Andrea Paschal Malone (Cory, and great granddaughter Charlie Robin), Katrina Paschal Grzegorski, (Ed) and Brittney Paschal Hawthorne (Jeremy and great grandsons, Carter and Cobe); his sisters Nancy Hale Good (John) and Jeannie Hale Theurer (Pat); numerous beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; Donald’s in-laws Owen (Lillian) Heinrich, Opal Marie Heinrich Alsup (Noah), Phillip Ray (Sharon) Heinrich. He is now joined in heaven with his beloved wife of 67 years, Norma; his children Dr. Robin D. Hale Paschal (Maurice) and Denis D. Hale; his parents Melvin and Millie; his siblings Mary Lou Hale Ryan, Linda Hale Riley (Tommy), and Ronald D Hale; sisters in law Gladys Heinrich Lunn, Thelma Heinrich Rhine, Carmel Thomas, Juanita V. Ball Lockard and Helen Belts.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:30 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. His pallbearers will include Kaeleb Hensel, John Olson, Tim Poshka, Joe MacMurchy, Steve Deardueff, and Mike Howard. Burial to immediately follow at New Milford Cemetery. A Memorial Visitation will take place at the Church of God in West Plaines, Missouri on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. A memorial service will also be held in West Plains, MO at a later date. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com