Truman O. Hale, age 87, of Clare, passed away peacefully in the company of his wife, Barb Smock at their home on Thursday, January 11, 2024. He was born the son of Orville and Dorothy Hale on January 13, 1936, in Milford, Michigan. He had worked for General Motors as a Materials Handler with Oldsmobile until retiring about 1976. Truman married Betty Pohl on Aug. 25, 1956, and she died on Feb. 15, 2003. On New Years Eve in 2005 he married Barbara (Heineke) Smock, and she survives him. Truman was a member of the UAW retirees. He had moved to Farwell in 1985 from St. John’s. Truman loved to Hunt and Fish. He and Barb had made many trips to the UP, stopping at Casino’s on the way up and back. Garage and Yard Saling were another favorite. The large collection of bread machines proves that he just couldn’t pass on by if he could get a cheaper than posted price. His family, along with Barb’s family plus grandchildren and great grandchildren were his blessings in life.
Truman is survived by his wife, Barbara Smock, his two sons, Jerome (Steph) Hale of Harrison, Jeffery (Leslie) Hale of Springport, Mi., step-children, Alger Smock and his friend Mary, Julie Alderton, Aaron Smock and fiancé, Patty, Phil (Char) Smock, and Eric (Lisa) Smock, his grandchildren, Jared and Jessica Hale, Zeth and Kristen Hale, Nathan and Chelsea Hale, Brandon and Tara Hale and Kegan and Stephanie Taylor, Great grandchildren, Lillian, Lincoln, River, and Jolene, Step Greats, Jessica, Kaley, Sierra, Perrie, Austin, Allison, and Taylor, and step great great grands, Jozie, Johnny, and Emmersyn. Also surviving are his three sisters, Mary Hale, Lois (John) Ried, and Frances Bates. Truman was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, his daughter Cynthia Taylor, and his brother, Jerome.
At his request, cremation will take place and he will be laid to rest along side Betty in the Surrey Township Cemetery. A Celebration of his life will take place at the Clare Moose Lodge in the future, the date has not yet been determined. The Hale family was assisted by the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Homes of Clare and Farwell. An online condolence register is available at www.stephenson-wyman.com