I. Wayne Hale, 97, of Collinsville, formerly of Atwood, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 12, 2024, at Addington Place of Collinsville.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL.

Masonic Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday with funeral services immediately following at the funeral home with Rev. Micheal Drake officiating.

The burial will be in the Mackville Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded.

Mr. Hale was born April 19, 1927, in Lovington, IL, the son of Virgil Hale and Blanche Cornwell Hale Harrison. He married Marion B. Quick on March 6, 1949, in rural Atwood, IL. She preceded him in death on June 25, 2005.

Survivors include his longtime companion: Yvonne Harshbarger of Decatur, IL, son: Douglas Wayne Hale and wife: Connie of St. Jacob, IL; daughter: Leslie Ann Hale of Swansea, IL; granddaughters: Marjorie DeNeal and husband: Darin of Thompsonville, IL; and Michelle Dossett and husband: Jeff of Troy, IL; 5 great-grandchildren: Ellie and Jasper DeNeal of Thompsonville, IL; and James, Alice, and Caroline Dossett of Troy, IL, brother-in law: Dick Walters, sister-in-law: Shirley Hale, brother-in-law: Jack Quick and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother: William Floyd Hale, sisters: Jewell (Hale) Pride and Judy (Harrison) Walters, and brothers: Norman and Jerry Hale.

Wayne graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and proudly served as a Third-Class Mailman stationed at Pearl Harbor and was discharged in 1946.

After returning home, he used the GI Bill to attend and graduate from Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in 1955. Wayne started working for Illinois Power Company in 1955 and retired as District Manager of the Trenton office in 1989.

Wayne was a Master Mason and member of the Atwood Masonic Lodge # 651; AF & AM and he was a member of the James Reeder American Legion Post #770 both for over 70 years. He enjoyed golfing for decades, throwing horseshoes, playing ping pong, traveling and attending backyard BBQs followed by a game of croquet.

Memorials are suggested to the James Reeder American Legion Post #770.