Monte Lee Hale

MONTE LEE HALE, 58, of Gratis, Ohio, died Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. He was born on May 10, 1953 in Middletown, Ohio and was a 1971 graduate of Preble Shawnee High School. Monte was a Vietnam U.S. Army veteran and was a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Beavercreek and Dayton, Ohio. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post #4289 in Gratis and was a member and officer of the American Legion Post #377 in Camden.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Greeley & Ruth Smith; paternal grandparents, Claude & Stella Hale; mother-in-law, Joyce K. Lay; niece, Kathryn Lay.

Survived by his wife of 24 years, Brenda Sue (Lay) Hale of Gratis; parents, Orville W. & Barbara A. (Smith) Hale of Gratis; children, Micheal M. (Keisha) Hale, David Hale, Steven Hale, and Thomas Hale all of Gratis; father-in-law, Simon P. Lay of Camden; brothers & sisters-in-law: Martin(Mary Lou) Hale of Gratis, Robert (Sheryl) Hale of Huber Heights; sister & brother-in-law, Nancy (Vince) Mumy of Bellbrook; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Jeff (Deborah) Lay of Camden, John (Tracy) Lay of Franklin, and Greg (Robyn) Lay of Middletown; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2011 at Nein-Barnes Funeral Home, 249 N. Main St., Camden, Ohio with Pastor Rick Carr officiating. Interment will be held in Fairview Cemetery in Gratis with full military honors provided by the Preble County Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the funeral home and from 11:00 am to 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral on Friday. Memorial Contributions may be made to American Legion, Post #377, Building Fund, 137 S. Main St., PO Box 125, Camden, Ohio 45311. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.barnesfuneralhome.com