D. Loretta Hale, 87, of North Ft. Myers, Florida and formerly of Terre Haute, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her family. Loretta was born on June 7, 1934 in Hitchins, Kentucky to George W. and Leona (Bledsoe) Jessie. She married Thomas L. Hale on July 11, 1953.
Loretta is survived by her husband of 68 years, Thomas Hale of North Ft. Myers; Daughter, Robin Peters (Stan) of North Ft. Myers; Son, Michael Hale (Sandy) of New Haven, IN; 6 grandchildren: Jimmy Hale (Angie) New Haven, IN; Andria Bolinger (Todd) of Palmetto, GA; Jason Hale (Whitney) of New Boston, TX; Bradley Peters of Cape Coral, FL; Joshua Hale (Amber) of New Haven, IN; Julia Peters Lassen of Ft Wayne. Her biggest joy was her entire family, but she especially loved to brag on her 15 great-grandchildren. She is very proud of all her nieces and nephews, as well.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Brent Hale; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and James Hale; brother, Larry Jessie; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Kruzan.
Loretta was a 1952 graduate of Gerstmeyer High School, where she was a member of the Honor Society. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper for a heating and air conditioning company and then at a marina. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association, Past President New Haven IN; and a proud member and Past High Priestess of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America, Ft Myers. She was a very active participant and supporter in all of the Araba Shrine activities with her husband Tom; she was also a member of the Daughters of the Nile Tab’itha Temple No.135, Ft Myers, where she served many years as an Attendant to the Queens. She was a member of the Lutheran faith.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Roselawn Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Loretta will be laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Park. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net
