Charles Henry Hale Jr

Charles Henry Hale Jr. passed away Thursday Feb. 28 at the Genesis Healthcare in Butte at

the age of 90. Charles (Chuck) was born to Charles Henry Hale Sr. and Nellie Faye Gleason in Sturgis, SD on July 12, 1928. Chuck and his family moved to western Montana where he spent most of his childhood.

In October of 1955, Chuck married Jewel Nester and adopted her children Jim, Darlene, and Alan. Chuck and Jewel had four children, Debbie, Sandi, Wayne, and Brenda. Chuck and his son Jim bought the Enco (College Exxon) gas station in Dillon in 1970. Jewel passed away on April 3, 1977 from cancer.

Chuck met Mary Lou Johnson in Whitehall where they both enjoyed dancing. They were married on Dec. 19, 1981 and lived in Whitehall where Chuck worked at Golden Sunlight Mine until they moved to Butte in 1990 where they lived until his death.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his wife Jewel, his son Wayne Hale, his daughter Darlene Hills, his stepdaughter Linda Walsh, his grandson James Hills, and his great grandson Keighton Svejkovsky.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, his children Jim (Cathy) Hale, Alan (Virginia) Hale, Debbie(Scott) Neeley, Sandi Chamberlain, and Brenda Richardson, his step-children Bonnie Schott and Jerry Johnson. Chuck had twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Chuck enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling.

Special thanks goes to Chuck's grand daughter Kelsey Schott for being there to help care for Chuck during his illness. Thank you to Big Sky Sr. Living and Shannon, Chuck's favorite nurse, for making them feel at home. And a special thanks to Debby Rich and Virginia and Ted Musselman for their friendship and support of Chuck and Mary Lou over the years.

Cremation has taken place and services will be Friday, March 8th, 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa's

Catholic Church in Whitehall, MT with luncheon to follow. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Whitehall Senior Center.