Cecil Hale, 88, died on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at the Coshocton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Coshocton, Ohio.

He was born on February 12, 1926 in Alphoretta, Kentucky to John Hale and Eva (Whitaker) Hale Patton and they preceded him in death. On October 18, 1952, he married Berneice Cornwell and she preceded him in death on January 9, 2003.

Cecil retired from the Lima Post Office where he worked as a letter carrier. He retired to his farm in Warsaw. Cecil was a graduate of North Fairfield High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during WWII from 1943-1946, where he witnessed the flag raising at Iwo Jima. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran and served from 1949-1952, during the Korean War.

Surviving are two sons: Dale (Kerry) Hale of Howard and Paul Hale of Warsaw; a daughter, Rhonda (Rob) Clapper of Lima; three grandsons, numerous great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren; two brothers: Lowell (Pauline) Patton of Ashland and James (Emma Jean) Patton of Columbia Station; and a sister, Lola Patton Forbes of Mansfield.

He was preceded in death by infant son Cecil Eudean Hale and siblings John Hale, Nellie Hale, Frances Hale, Albert Patton, Wilgus Patton and Mildred Patton Dotson.

A funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger with Rev. Thomas E. Brown officiating. Burial will be in Preston Cemetery, Alger. Graveside military service will be conducted by the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard.

Friends may call two hours prior to the service, from 12-2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger

Memorial contributions may be made to Health Services of Coshocton-Hospice, 230 South 4th Street, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.