WARREN - Marie Ruth Hale, age 94, of Stephenson Nursing Center, Freeport, IL, formerly of Warren, IL, died on March 15, 2009 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She was born on November 15, 1915 in rural Wiota Township Wiota, WI, the daughter of Mervin and Olive (Spore) Wicker. She married Harold James Hale on November 15, 1933 in Wiota, WI. He preceded her in death on February 11, 1978.

She worked at Micro Switch and farmed with her husband in the Wiota Township area. They moved to Warren, IL in 1955 and lived there for the rest of her life. She was a member of the West Wiota Church. Marie loved to play bingo and cards.

Survivors include: two daughters, Marlene (Bill) Homb of Freeport, IL and Kathy Becke of Shullsburg, WI; one son, Frankie (Judy) Hale of Evansville, WI; two sisters, Cleo Bondele of Warren, IL and Delores Faletti of Monroe, WI; 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; two sons, Harold James Jr. and Donald; one daughter, Shelby Jean Beyer; her parents and one sister, Lois.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday March 19, 2009 in the West Wiota Church with Rev. Sara Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in the West Wiota Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home, 519 Tisdell Ave., Warren, IL. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com