Obituary

Ray Cecil Hale

80 a resident of Lincoln, passed away March 25, 2015 at his home. He was born March 17, 1935 in Decatur, Nebraska, the son of Cecil and Juanita Ploof Hale.

Ray worked as a certified heavy equipment operator, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking and wood burning. He had a love of animals and often took in rescue cats and dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Hale, one brother Johnny Hale and one son-in-law Michael Nolan.

Survivors include his companion Cherokee Steinbach; six daughters Kristy White and husband Michael of Oakley, California, Rhonda Nolan of Lawndale, California, Beth Mathieu and husband Mark of Hawthorne, California, Ann Hale of Gardena, California, Heather Smith and husband John of Springdale, Arkansas and Dawn Steinbach of Deforest, Wisconsin; one brother Omer Hale and wife Muriel of Gold Hill, Oregon; one sister Betty Hale of Omaha, Nebraska; thirteen grandchildren Cori White, Shawn White, Vail White , Michelle Valles, Paul Nolan, Blake Mathieu, Katie Mathieu, Ashley Cruz, Amanda Cruz, Brian Steinbach, Jeremy Smith, Brandon Smith and Preston Smith twelve great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 2, 2015 2:00 P.M. at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Ozarks 1020 S One Mile Rd Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704

The memorial service may be watched live at www.luginbuel.com

Funeral Service

2:00 pm
Luginbuel Chapel.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
information unavailable.
General

Mar 17, 1935

Mar 25, 2015

80

Tributes

I remember a beautiful, quick witted hard working man way back then (in the early 1970's). Sparkling smiling eyes....Ray was always working and tinkering on something in that garage, with all us kids running around....and yet he always smiled, never lost his temper (gosh, did he have one??!!). A lovely soul who will now watch over his family from above......we love you Ray!
Cheryl (Estes) Brown - Friend of family
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. - Matthew 5:4 When our Bethy called me & told me Ray had passed, it truly knocked the wind out of me, was speechless. Here was a cowboy like figured I knew, tough and strong and she said he was now gone. There are people like that whether you are around them or not, that you just think they will always be around. I thought that way of him. As I look back over many many years of the times spent at Ray & Mary Hales house, I think of great memories. The kindness of walking in and Mary greeting us, her homemade chicken soup coulda put Campbell's outta business. Ray was a scary guy to me early on but not for long, he too welcomed me into his home moreso than old Charly ha. I never had a dad so I would steal a bit from all my friends dads whenever I was around them. But Ray, he was no joke, a mans man...formidable. They must have modeled the Marlboro man after him and I will miss the guy. The only thing I can really member from back in the day was this. I asked him a question I'm sure he got a million times. What was it like to have nothing but all girls and no boys? Gruffly, he said, great. One word, not to be mean or end the conversation but it was the top of the tree, no branch was higher. I understood exactly what he meant. Great covered it all, his girls were great to him in all forms of conversation. And now some 30 plus years later, Xmas (Kristy), Rhonny(Rhonda), our Bethy (Beth) & Annikins (Ann) are and have been just that in friendship and love...great. RAY & MARY couldn't have done better nor asked for more from them. You girls to me are good people as are your kids and I thank you very much for the inclusion of Ray, I am truly humbled and very touched. Hope I wasn't too long winded. Hugs & GOD bless you girls. Family first. AMEN
Scott Hale - Family friend
Ray was the model of stability to me. I was between ages 5-10 when I saw him the most. He worked hard all day and never complained. I remember him resting on the long couch and watching the TV that was up really high in the living room. It wasn't until I could drive that I realized how far Irwindale was from Lawndale and I admired him more for his commitment to provide for his family. On weekends, the garage door was always open and so was the hood of a car. Ray and Mary were second parents to me for a season and I will never forget them. My love to all the family:)
Lori Anderson - Family Friend
Ray and Mary moved in next door to our family on Condon Ave when there was just Kristy and Rhonda. Soon after came Beth and Ann Louise. I used to babysit the girls, when Mary worked swing shift, and then until Ray got home from work. All the years, I never saw Ray lose his temper or get angry. Ray was a hard working man, loved his family, and friends. Ray, was always their to help my family, with anything they needed. Always remember Ray with that great smile of his, and his big heart. My husband Will and I were passing through Arkansas, 6 yrs ago, so got to visit with Tim and Linda, Ray and Cherokee. A great visit for it had been too long since I last saw Ray. Great visit, reminiscing about old times, etc. Ray seemed never to age, looked the same to me. What a great guy and great friend to my family. He will be missed greatly.
Gloria (Anderson) Smith - Family Friend
I'm so honored to be the mother-in-law to Ray's daughter Beth. Mary and Ray taught their daughters well. Thanks for giving my son Mark a wonderful loving wife. Which gave us the awesome love of our grandchildren Blake and Katie that we share with Mary and Ray. Beth is such a blessing to our family. I love her like my own. I embrace the love of The Hale Family. They are awesome, fun and easy to love. While raising all those girls I loved that you put all those mirrors in the hallway so the girls would leave the one bathroom open for the next one while they did hair and make up in the hallway. You were wise beyond your years even then. Ray taught me that quiet is powerful. In his gentle, quiet, mild manner he showed great love, kindness and compassion. Ray didn't waste words. He chose them wisely and when he spoke people listened because something meaningful and rich was stated. How beautiful at 80 yrs old to be surrounded with so much love and an awesome celebration. So blessed to have met you Ray. I loved your beautiful heartwarming memorial. We viewed it from California. The pastor did an awesome job, the music was very special and memories shared were so touching. A remarkable tribute to a remarkable man. I Love You Ray Hale. Now You May Rest in Peace Forever Love, Prayers & Blessings To Your Family & Friends Annie Mathieu
Annie Mathieu - Mother-in-Law to Daughter Beth
Funeral Service

2:00 pm
Luginbuel Chapel.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
information unavailable.
General

Mar 17, 1935

Mar 25, 2015

80