Alfred William Hale, Sr. passed away at his home in Shenandoah, Iowa, on Saturday, May 17, 2008, after almost a year's battle with lung cancer. He was born on April 26, 1929, in Randolph, Iowa, at the Leo Hughes Place to Edward and Leona (Baucom) Hale.

Most of his early life was spent growing up in the Imogene, Iowa, area. He entered in military service on July 16, 1952. He received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, National Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was released from active military service and transferred to Army Reserve to complete eight years service under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. Alfred was united in marriage to Marguerite Katherine Ballain on September 13, 1952. To this union five children were born. The eldest is Terry Hale, then Alfred Hale, Jr., Alvin Hale, Mervin Hale and Karen (Hale) Lawson. Alfred farmed throughout his life in Shenandoah, Sidney, and other various places in Page and Fremont Counties. He retired from farming in the mid 1990's. He was also employed by Mount Arbor Nurseries in Shenandoah.

Preceding Alfred in death were his parents; brothers, Edward James, Glenn, and Mervin Hale; sisters, Alice Berringer, Fern Wright, Dora Loftis and Lucille Sickler. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marguerite Katherine Hale; his children, Terry Hale and his wife Jutta of Shenandoah, Alfred Hale, Jr., of Shenandoah, Alvin Hale and wife Janis of Shenandoah, Mervin Hale and wife Beverly of Clarinda and Karen (Hale) Lawson and her husband Corey of Shenandoah. Also surviving are his siblings, Richard Hale, Carl Hale and his wife Bea, and Mary (Hale) Squires and her husband Art; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Trevor Skalberg. Musical selelctions were "In The Garden", "Grandpa, Tell Me About The Good Ole Days" and "The Dance". Attending the memory register was Tammy Kirsch. Caring for the flowers were Tish Frazier and Kim Sharp. Honorary casket bearers were Dick Hale, Carl Hale, Dowell Demanett, Art Squires, Junior Loftus and Kenneth Baucom. Casket bearers were Eddie Sickler, Jimmie Sickler, Corey Lawson, Preston Lawson, Jack Ballain and Gary Bowman. Interment was in the Emerson Cemetery in Emerson, Iowa. Memorials are being directed to the family. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.