Mr. Calvin Orra Hale's Obituary
Mr. Calvin Orra Hale, age 92, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016. Cal was born October 31, 1924 to Orra and Dorthea (Roth) Hale in Muskegon Heights. He served his country in the US Army during WWII. On September 19,1946, he married the former Shirley I. Jones and together they were active members of Covenant Community Church where Cal sang in the choir and was part of the “Alter Boys”, helping to maintain the church and so much more. Early in his life, he had worked with his father in home construction, becoming a master carpenter. Cal also spent 16 years as an entrepreneur, owning and operating the Marathon Service Station at Getty and Airline. He was then employed by Mona Shores Public Schools in the maintenance department for 25 years prior to his retirement. Following retirement, Cal shuttled cars between dealerships for nearly 20 years. There was nothing more enjoyable to he and Shirley than an evening out with friends, including dinner and dancing. Cal loved to dance and was passionate about dancing to a live Big Band. He was a loving, kind, family man of God who will be missed by his beloved wife of 70 years, Shirley; his daughters, Anne (Gernot) Runschke and Susan Hale; 4 grandchildren, Jurgen Runschke, Kirsten Runschke, Brenda Balkema and Brent (Katey) Balkema; 5 great grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Ardith “Tootie” Perysian and Sharlene Jones; and several nieces and nephews. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held 2:00 PM Friday, December 23, 2016 at Covenant Community Church, (134 E. Barney, Muskegon Hts.) with Pastor Mark Bush officiating and Full Military Rites afforded under the auspices of the VFW Muskegon County Council. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service (1-2 PM). Memorial Contributions may be made to Covenant Community Church. Share memories of Cal at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100
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