James Wallace Hale

James Wallace Hale, 81, of Rittman, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 under the care of Hospice at Akron City Hospital after a brief illness.

Jim was born March 19, 1939 in Wayne, WV to the late James and Mary Belle (Booth) Hale and married the former Donna Sue Watts on July 2, 1988.  Donna preceded him in death on July 28, 2009.  He retired from Volvo and had previously worked for Ingersoll Rand.  Jim was a member of Rittman Community Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to the Rittman Recreation Center.  He loved spending time with his family and he will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his children and their spouses, Roger and Toi Hale of Akron, Donna Marlatt of Orrville, Kathie and Gary Sears of Myrtle Beach, SC, Mary and Rick Weaver of Orrville, Jimmy Hale of Texas, Teresa Scott of Wooster and Tessa and Wayne Walters of Rittman; 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and brothers and sisters and their spouses, Jewell and Harold Adkins of Rittman, Alice Elswick of Kentucky, Shirley Scruggs of Creston, Dorothy and Mack Wyatt of Burbank, Paul Hale of Ashland, Judy and Ronnie Adams of Kentucky, Thelma and Ray Kast of Apple Creek, Connie and Gary Vernotzy, Kenny Hale and Melvin Hale all of West Salem and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Donna, daughter, April Swigert, a grandson Nathan Sears and a brother, Ellis Hale.

Services will be Saturday, May 2nd at 12:00 noon at Rittman Community Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. John Castle officiating.  Burial will be in Rittman Cemetery.  Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.  Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com  Memorial contributions may be made to Make a Wish Foundation in honor of his granddaughter Madison Hale, 1702 E. Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in memory of his grandson, Nathan at 3 Columbus Circle, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.  

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