Mary Lou Hale, 84, of Tionesta, PA., passed away on April 29, 2008 at Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA.
She was born on May 3, 1923 at Saltville, VA to the late Stephen L. and Sarah B. (McMichael) Johnston, Sr.
When three months of age, the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA. She spent her early school years in East Liberty, but didn't like attending such a large school.
In 1931, her father moved the family to Tionesta. They lived on Dale Street and Mary Lou finally felt happy about school. The days spent with cousins in Tionesta were some of her most fond memories.
She graduated from Tionesta High School in 1942 with third honors. After graduation, she went to work at Hale's Confectionery.
In June of 1943, she took a train from Pittsburgh, PA to El Paso, TX to marry her high school sweetheart, Forrest E. Hale. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso due to WW II. They were married on June 29, 1943 in the Central Baptist Church. After a brief honeymoon, she returned to Tionesta.
They were owners of several business in Tionesta. In 1952, they opened a Dodge - Plymouth Garage in the Robinson Building. After this, they purchased the Dewdrop Restaurant from her Uncle and Aunt, Harvey and Ruthe Johnston. In 1960, they rented Cropp Dairy and established Hale's Dairy Bar.
Mary Lou left the restaurant business and went to work at Forest Hardware. When Faulkner's Red and White opened in the Tionesta Plaza, she was hired as a clerk/cashier. In 1973, they moved to Tidioute, PA. Forrest Hale worked for Wolf's Head Oil Bulk Plant. Mary Lou worked at the gas station.
Her husband died on March 26, 1977. Mary Lou decided to return to her beloved hometown.
In 1980, she was employed at the Photo Driver's License Center, where she remained for four years.
In 1984, she ran on the Republican ballot for Forest County Jury Commissioner. She won the election and eventually served four terms as Jury Commissioner for Forest County.
She was a member of the Tionesta United Methodist Church. She also attended Tionesta Church of God.
She was a Life time member of the Auxiliary and V.F.W post 8803 in Tidioute, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 102 in Tionesta.
Surviving are four children, Stephen E. and Beverly L. Hale of Tionesta, Diane L. and Thomas M. McGraw of Tidioute, Sam R. Hale of Tionesta, and Gene A. Hale of Tionesta. Nine grandchildren also survive, Bruce E. and Denise A. Hale of Smethport, Brian D. and Terri F. Hale of Tionesta, Stacey L. and Jeffrey D. Shreffler of Tionesta, Susan M. and Brian K. Reib of Pleasantville, Amy L. McGraw of San Jose, CA, R. Scott and Kristen McGraw of Clarendon, Melinda D. Beck of Tidioute, Randy L. Hale of Tionesta, and Lynnette A. and Michael Fedora of Tionesta.
She also has the following: 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Hale, Lauren Hale, Bryce Hale, Meredith Reib, Owen Reib, Aubrey Shreffler, Caleb McGraw, Zachary McGraw, Patrick Sheckler, Lukas Sheckler, and Paige Beck; two step grandchildren, Ranee Faes and Dane Faes; and two special nieces that took care of her, Mary Ellen Anderson and Peggy Kidd.
Her companion of 18 years, William C. Terry of Tionesta, also survives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a great-granddaughter, Emma McGraw; and four siblings, David C. Johnston, Margaret E. Dawson, Gertrude L. Osten and Stephen L. Johnston, Jr.
She was born on May 3, 1923 at Saltville, VA to the late Stephen L. and Sarah B. (McMichael) Johnston, Sr.
When three months of age, the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA. She spent her early school years in East Liberty, but didn't like attending such a large school.
In 1931, her father moved the family to Tionesta. They lived on Dale Street and Mary Lou finally felt happy about school. The days spent with cousins in Tionesta were some of her most fond memories.
She graduated from Tionesta High School in 1942 with third honors. After graduation, she went to work at Hale's Confectionery.
In June of 1943, she took a train from Pittsburgh, PA to El Paso, TX to marry her high school sweetheart, Forrest E. Hale. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso due to WW II. They were married on June 29, 1943 in the Central Baptist Church. After a brief honeymoon, she returned to Tionesta.
They were owners of several business in Tionesta. In 1952, they opened a Dodge - Plymouth Garage in the Robinson Building. After this, they purchased the Dewdrop Restaurant from her Uncle and Aunt, Harvey and Ruthe Johnston. In 1960, they rented Cropp Dairy and established Hale's Dairy Bar.
Mary Lou left the restaurant business and went to work at Forest Hardware. When Faulkner's Red and White opened in the Tionesta Plaza, she was hired as a clerk/cashier. In 1973, they moved to Tidioute, PA. Forrest Hale worked for Wolf's Head Oil Bulk Plant. Mary Lou worked at the gas station.
Her husband died on March 26, 1977. Mary Lou decided to return to her beloved hometown.
In 1980, she was employed at the Photo Driver's License Center, where she remained for four years.
In 1984, she ran on the Republican ballot for Forest County Jury Commissioner. She won the election and eventually served four terms as Jury Commissioner for Forest County.
She was a member of the Tionesta United Methodist Church. She also attended Tionesta Church of God.
She was a Life time member of the Auxiliary and V.F.W post 8803 in Tidioute, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 102 in Tionesta.
Surviving are four children, Stephen E. and Beverly L. Hale of Tionesta, Diane L. and Thomas M. McGraw of Tidioute, Sam R. Hale of Tionesta, and Gene A. Hale of Tionesta. Nine grandchildren also survive, Bruce E. and Denise A. Hale of Smethport, Brian D. and Terri F. Hale of Tionesta, Stacey L. and Jeffrey D. Shreffler of Tionesta, Susan M. and Brian K. Reib of Pleasantville, Amy L. McGraw of San Jose, CA, R. Scott and Kristen McGraw of Clarendon, Melinda D. Beck of Tidioute, Randy L. Hale of Tionesta, and Lynnette A. and Michael Fedora of Tionesta.
She also has the following: 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Hale, Lauren Hale, Bryce Hale, Meredith Reib, Owen Reib, Aubrey Shreffler, Caleb McGraw, Zachary McGraw, Patrick Sheckler, Lukas Sheckler, and Paige Beck; two step grandchildren, Ranee Faes and Dane Faes; and two special nieces that took care of her, Mary Ellen Anderson and Peggy Kidd.
Her companion of 18 years, William C. Terry of Tionesta, also survives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a great-granddaughter, Emma McGraw; and four siblings, David C. Johnston, Margaret E. Dawson, Gertrude L. Osten and Stephen L. Johnston, Jr.
Mary Lou Hale, 84, of Tionesta, PA., passed away on April 29, 2008 at Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA.
She was born on May 3, 1923 at Saltville, VA to the late Stephen L. and Sarah B. (McMichael) Johnston, Sr.
When three months of age, the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA. She spent her early school years in East Liberty, but didn't like attending such a large school.
In 1931, her father moved the family to Tionesta. They lived on Dale Street and Mary Lou finally felt happy about school. The days spent with cousins in Tionesta were some of her most fond memories.
She graduated from Tionesta High School in 1942 with third honors. After graduation, she went to work at Hale's Confectionery.
In June of 1943, she took a train from Pittsburgh, PA to El Paso, TX to marry her high school sweetheart, Forrest E. Hale. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso due to WW II. They were married on June 29, 1943 in the Central Baptist Church. After a brief honeymoon, she returned to Tionesta.
They were owners of several business in Tionesta. In 1952, they opened a Dodge - Plymouth Garage in the Robinson Building. After this, they purchased the Dewdrop Restaurant from her Uncle and Aunt, Harvey and Ruthe Johnston. In 1960, they rented Cropp Dairy and established Hale's Dairy Bar.
Mary Lou left the restaurant business and went to work at Forest Hardware. When Faulkner's Red and White opened in the Tionesta Plaza, she was hired as a clerk/cashier. In 1973, they moved to Tidioute, PA. Forrest Hale worked for Wolf's Head Oil Bulk Plant. Mary Lou worked at the gas station.
Her husband died on March 26, 1977. Mary Lou decided to return to her beloved hometown.
In 1980, she was employed at the Photo Driver's License Center, where she remained for four years.
In 1984, she ran on the Republican ballot for Forest County Jury Commissioner. She won the election and eventually served four terms as Jury Commissioner for Forest County.
She was a member of the Tionesta United Methodist Church. She also attended Tionesta Church of God.
She was a Life time member of the Auxiliary and V.F.W post 8803 in Tidioute, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 102 in Tionesta.
Surviving are four children, Stephen E. and Beverly L. Hale of Tionesta, Diane L. and Thomas M. McGraw of Tidioute, Sam R. Hale of Tionesta, and Gene A. Hale of Tionesta. Nine grandchildren also survive, Bruce E. and Denise A. Hale of Smethport, Brian D. and Terri F. Hale of Tionesta, Stacey L. and Jeffrey D. Shreffler of Tionesta, Susan M. and Brian K. Reib of Pleasantville, Amy L. McGraw of San Jose, CA, R. Scott and Kristen McGraw of Clarendon, Melinda D. Beck of Tidioute, Randy L. Hale of Tionesta, and Lynnette A. and Michael Fedora of Tionesta.
She also has the following: 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Hale, Lauren Hale, Bryce Hale, Meredith Reib, Owen Reib, Aubrey Shreffler, Caleb McGraw, Zachary McGraw, Patrick Sheckler, Lukas Sheckler, and Paige Beck; two step grandchildren, Ranee Faes and Dane Faes; and two special nieces that took care of her, Mary Ellen Anderson and Peggy Kidd.
Her companion of 18 years, William C. Terry of Tionesta, also survives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a great-granddaughter, Emma McGraw; and four siblings, David C. Johnston, Margaret E. Dawson, Gertrude L. Osten and Stephen L. Johnston, Jr.
She was born on May 3, 1923 at Saltville, VA to the late Stephen L. and Sarah B. (McMichael) Johnston, Sr.
When three months of age, the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA. She spent her early school years in East Liberty, but didn't like attending such a large school.
In 1931, her father moved the family to Tionesta. They lived on Dale Street and Mary Lou finally felt happy about school. The days spent with cousins in Tionesta were some of her most fond memories.
She graduated from Tionesta High School in 1942 with third honors. After graduation, she went to work at Hale's Confectionery.
In June of 1943, she took a train from Pittsburgh, PA to El Paso, TX to marry her high school sweetheart, Forrest E. Hale. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso due to WW II. They were married on June 29, 1943 in the Central Baptist Church. After a brief honeymoon, she returned to Tionesta.
They were owners of several business in Tionesta. In 1952, they opened a Dodge - Plymouth Garage in the Robinson Building. After this, they purchased the Dewdrop Restaurant from her Uncle and Aunt, Harvey and Ruthe Johnston. In 1960, they rented Cropp Dairy and established Hale's Dairy Bar.
Mary Lou left the restaurant business and went to work at Forest Hardware. When Faulkner's Red and White opened in the Tionesta Plaza, she was hired as a clerk/cashier. In 1973, they moved to Tidioute, PA. Forrest Hale worked for Wolf's Head Oil Bulk Plant. Mary Lou worked at the gas station.
Her husband died on March 26, 1977. Mary Lou decided to return to her beloved hometown.
In 1980, she was employed at the Photo Driver's License Center, where she remained for four years.
In 1984, she ran on the Republican ballot for Forest County Jury Commissioner. She won the election and eventually served four terms as Jury Commissioner for Forest County.
She was a member of the Tionesta United Methodist Church. She also attended Tionesta Church of God.
She was a Life time member of the Auxiliary and V.F.W post 8803 in Tidioute, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 102 in Tionesta.
Surviving are four children, Stephen E. and Beverly L. Hale of Tionesta, Diane L. and Thomas M. McGraw of Tidioute, Sam R. Hale of Tionesta, and Gene A. Hale of Tionesta. Nine grandchildren also survive, Bruce E. and Denise A. Hale of Smethport, Brian D. and Terri F. Hale of Tionesta, Stacey L. and Jeffrey D. Shreffler of Tionesta, Susan M. and Brian K. Reib of Pleasantville, Amy L. McGraw of San Jose, CA, R. Scott and Kristen McGraw of Clarendon, Melinda D. Beck of Tidioute, Randy L. Hale of Tionesta, and Lynnette A. and Michael Fedora of Tionesta.
She also has the following: 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Hale, Lauren Hale, Bryce Hale, Meredith Reib, Owen Reib, Aubrey Shreffler, Caleb McGraw, Zachary McGraw, Patrick Sheckler, Lukas Sheckler, and Paige Beck; two step grandchildren, Ranee Faes and Dane Faes; and two special nieces that took care of her, Mary Ellen Anderson and Peggy Kidd.
Her companion of 18 years, William C. Terry of Tionesta, also survives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a great-granddaughter, Emma McGraw; and four siblings, David C. Johnston, Margaret E. Dawson, Gertrude L. Osten and Stephen L. Johnston, Jr.
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