John C. Hale
John C. Hale, 81, of New Albin died Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Monday, June 20 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph's Cemetery, New Albin. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Gundersen Medical Foundation, 1836 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.
John Charles Hale was born August 2, 1934 in Waukon, the son of John and Helen (Schriver) Hale. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1952 and graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL in 1956. After college he worked for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA.
November 9, 1957, he married Marcella Strub at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin. John worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a Highway Technician for 35 years before retiring in 1992. They lived in St. Paul, MN and Hastings, MN before moving to New Albin in 1999.
John was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. When they lived in Hastings, MN, he played the cornet as a member of the adult band and was active in a local ham radio club. John built a cedar strip canoe in his home garage and later helped his son build his own. He enjoyed trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, horseback riding and backpacking in Wyoming. John also enjoyed playing softball, target shooting, biking, car rides through the countryside and trips to Branson. John also loved his hot cup of coffee.
Survivors include his wife, Marcella, of New Albin; his children: Liza Collins of Hastings, MN, Suzie (Todd) Weber of Pella and Chuck (Jen) Hale of Hastings, MN; six grandchildren, Angela (Chad) Neuharth, Marty Collins, Andy DeRoin, and Madi, Afton and Ava Hale; two great-grandchildren, Dylan Collins and Isaiah Neuharth; and a sister, Ann Hale-Moody of Oro Valley, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Matthew Collins.
Honorary casketbearers were Tom Dolan, Cyril Hawes, Lorny Mitchell, and Chuck and Dan Strub. Casketbearers were Steve Boland, Marty Collins, Chad and Angela Neuharth, Linus Ott and Andy DeRoin.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
