Joseph C. "J.C." Hale was born July 17, 1918, in rural Garfield County to Don and Edna (DeBell) Hale and died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. He attended both Marshall and Covington schools. In 1939, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 11th Cavalry. He served in the European Theatre until the end of World War II. In 1939, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 11th Cavalry. He served in the European Theatre until the end of World War II. J.C. married Marthella Sallee in 1941. She preceded him in death in 1999. He farmed, worked in construction and later worked as a driller in the oil fields. In 1956, he was employed by Sinclair Oil Co. and retired from ARCO Oil and Gas in 1980. In 1958, J.C. was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Stonewall, Okla. He was a member and past deacon of Garland Road Baptist Church. He also was a member of American Legion and VFW. In April 2000, he married Ruby (McCracken) Castleman and she survives him. J.C. also is survived by two sons, Jerry Hale and Rosalee of Woodward and Douglas Hale and wife Jana of Weatherford; one daughter, Joell Gray and husband Gaylon of Purcell; two grandsons; five granddaughters; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bob Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and five brothers. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Garland Road Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Lions Club Cemetery North in Marshall. Service is under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.