Roy Hale 1929-2026
Roy Aloysius “Wah Sah Wok” “Bozo” Hale, 96, of Mayetta, passed away Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Midland Hospice House, as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born Oct. 19, 1929, in Mayetta, the son of Joseph P. “Shakey” Hale and Jane (Blandin) Puckkee.
Roy graduated from Circleville High School in 1948 and he graduated from Haskell Junior College, using the G.I. Bill in 1989.
He proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. He worked for Sunflower Ordinance Army Ammunition Plant in DeSoto after the war ended. He joined the United States Air Force and began working for the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and earning the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1958.
Later he re-enlisted with the United States Air Force, working in Ft. Holabird, and later as an administrative clerk to the Texas Towers in Cape Cod, Mass. His next assignment was in Fuji, Japan, at the Headquarters of the Fifth Air Force. He ended his military career and was discharged at Travis Air Force Base in California in 1964. Roy served more than 28 years in military and federal service.
He was a proud elder member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 and Jackson County Historical Society. He was the caretaker for Shipshee Cemetery for many years and was inducted into the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his nephew, Martin Hale (Donna) of Topeka; great-niece, Megan Hale of Denver, Colo.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Hale and Jane Puckkee; and a brother, Lawrence “Emery” Hale.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta. Roy will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sister Therese Klepac Hall with visitation to follow. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Shipshee Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the We-Ta-Se Post American Legion Post 410, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
