Marilyn Hales

MARILYN B. HALES

Marilyn Blanche (Hesse) Hales, age 77, of Wyaconda, MO, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Luther Manor Nursing Home in Hannibal, MO, where she had been a resident the past several months.

She was born on the family farm northeast of Wyaconda, MO, on May 9, 1931, a daughter of Carl Calvin and Mabel Hardman Hesse.

On August 27, 1950, she was united in marriage to Larry Arthur Hales at the United Methodist Parsonage in Luray, MO.

Survivors include her husband, Larry, recently of Luther Manor Village in Hannibal, MO;

two sons, Randy R. Hales of Rural Retreat, VA, and Gregory L. Hales and his wife, Cathy, of Maywood, MO; one daughter, Sheila R. (Hales) Swafford and her husband, Donald, of Novinger, MO; a sister, Edna Lucille Beckett of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren: Melissa Swafford-Davis of Buckner, MO, Jennifer Brownell of Novinger, MO, Rebecca Neel of

LaPorte, TX, Kristopher Hales and Katrina Hales, both of Rural Retreat, VA, and Victoria Hales and Austin Hales, both of Maywood, MO; two great grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Marilyn graduated from Wyaconda C-1 School and attended Northeast MO State Teachers College (now Truman State) at Kirksville. She was a farm wife all of her married life, but also worked outside the home as a newspaper proofreader, receptionist/bookkeeper in Dr's office, bank teller, School secretary and life insurance sales. In addition, she was a private piano teacher for 55 years.

Marilyn was a life-long resident of Wyaconda and was deeply involved and devoted to the community. For over 40 years she was organist and Sunday school teacher at the Wyaconda United Methodist Church and also for over 40 years was scorekeeper at all basketball games for Wyaconda C-1 School. She was a member of Royal Neighbors of America and had been a sales person for that company for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 18, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Beryl Cragg officiating. Burial was in the Wyaconda Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Wyaconda United Methodist Church.