David Ray Hale, 66, of Armstrong, passed away at home Friday February 26th, 2021. He was born November 7th, 1954 in Danville, Illinois, a son of Henry Otis and Roxie (McDonald) Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Freddy and Johnny. He is survived by his siblings Otis Wayne Hale of Belize, Janet Hale of Goodfield, Illinois and Judy (Hale) Hilton of Armstrong, Illinois.
David graduated from Armstrong High School. He took literature and writing courses at Danville Area Community College and was particularly enjoyed the company of other creative writers.
During the course of his life, he worked in various carpentry related positions in the Champaign County and Vermilion County area. He traveled to Las Vegas where he utilized his skill at cards as a dealer at the Horseshoe Casino for a time. He worked for several local companies: Flex-n-Gate in Champaign, Bell Helmet in Rantoul and retired from Ameren Power Company in Vermilion County.
David was a quiet, intelligent, well-read man with a dry, sardonic sense of humor. He was kind and funny and his friends could always count on interesting conversations about the wide-ranging books and music he loved.
The Middle Fork River was his passion and most of his life, he never lived more than a mile from it. Photography was his way of documenting and preserving all the insects, birds and other animals of the river valley. He had a great eye and natural skills and enjoyed sharing his photography with friends and others. During the last 10 years, David produced a calendar entitled “Life on the Middle Fork”, which was treasured by all of his friends.
He enjoyed visiting prairies in the local conservation areas and recreated a small piece of tallgrass prairie on his land. It gave him great joy and satisfaction to watch the birds and insects flitting among the flowers and grasses.
A graveside service will be held at Partlow Cemetery in Armstrong on Friday March 26th, 2021 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in David’s name can be made to : Vermilion County Conservation District Education Fund, Kennekuk County Park, Danville, Illinois 61832. Watson Cremation & Funeral Services in Danville is assisting the family. Online condolences @ www.watsoncremationservices.com
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