Graveside memorial services will be held Saturday, July 2, 2016, 10 a.m., at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Neb., for Ray Cecil Hale, 80, of Lincoln, Ark. He died March 25, 2015, at his home. There will be no visitation.

Ray was born March 17, 1935, in Decatur, the son of Cecil and Juanita Ploof Hale. He worked as a certified heavy equipment operator, and enjoyed fishing, woodworking and wood burning. He had a love of animals and often took in rescue cats and dogs.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Mary Hale; one brother Johnny Hale; and one son-in-law, Michael Nolan.

Survivors include his companion Cherokee Steinbach; six daughters, Kristy (Michael) White of Oakley, Calif., Rhonda Nolan of Lawndale, Calif., Beth (Mark) Mathieu of Hawthorne, Calif., Ann Hale of Gardena, Calif., Heather (John) Smith of Springdale, Ark., and Dawn Steinbach of Deforest, Wis.; one brother, Omer (Muriel) Hale of Gold Hill, Ore.; one sister, Betty Hale of Omaha, Neb.; thirteen grandchildren, Cori White, Shawn White, Vail White, Michelle Valles, Paul Nolan, Blake Mathieu, Katie Mathieu, Ashley Cruz, Amanda Cruz, Brian Steinbach, Jeremy Smith, Brandon Smith and Preston Smith; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Burial is at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur.

Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of the Ozarks, 1020 S One Mile Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72704.

Pelan Funeral Services, Tekamah, is in charge of arrangements.