logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Ernest Wayne “Whitey” Hale
Obituaries
June 29, 2023
Ernest Wayne “Whitey” Hale

Ernest Wayne “Whitey” Hale, 77, of Whitefield, Oklahoma passed away in Muskogee surrounded by his loving family on Friday June 23, 2023. He was born Saturday Dec. 15, 1945 in Checotah, Oklahoma to Richard Hale Sr. and Irene (Smith) Hale. He grew up in various areas, Porter, Checotah, Wainwright, Haskell Bottom, Boynton, and Oktaha, just to name a few.

On April 24, 1965 he married Sue Skinner. Out of this union came two children, Becky and Richie.

Whitey worked many jobs which he enjoyed; Southwest Porcelain in Sand Springs, Checotah Ready-Mix in Checotah, Options Group Home in Checotah. Eventually starting his own roofing and siding business.

Whitey was saved at Checotah First Assembly of God under Reverend John Moreland, whom he loved and admired his whole life. On Saturday March 27, 1993, Whitey married Judy Richards in Whitefield, Oklahoma. From this union he gained a daughter, Kim.

Whitey was a great son, brother, husband, father and papa. He loved his grandchildren Kyla, Kelli, Samantha, Little Richie, Kristeena and Elliott very much. Whitey loved to coon hunt and loved his prize- winning hounds, Blackie, Cutie, Ann and Ruthie, just to name a few.

He also enjoyed chicken fighting and had many champion roosters over the years. Everything he did, he did with great passion.

He loved his friends dearly and had way too many to name, you all know who you are! If you didn’t want to know the truth, then you better not ask him the question, because he was gonna’ tell you the truth even if it hurt your feelings. He did not lie! He was a very honest and just man. He will be missed by all who knew him. Especially his children, who loved him with all their hearts and respected the great man he was.

Whitey was preceded in death by his father, Richard Hale Sr.; mother, Irene (Smith) Hale; father-in-laws, Millard Skinner, Donald Pedrow and Earl Osborn; mother-in-laws, Dorothy Pedrow and Nona Osborn; Brothers, John Hale, Tony Hale, James “Bob” Hale, Richard “Pug” Hale Jr., Kenny Hale and Andy Hale. Sisters, Helen Casey and Janie Billings. brother-in-laws, Ray Skinner, Joe Casey, Mike Billings, Calvin Anderson, Ronnie Osborn, and Mike Bailes. Sister-in-laws, Rose Hale and Linda Bailes.

He is lovingly survived by his wife Judy, his children, daughter Becky Clay (Joe), son Richie Hale (Amanda), daughter Kim Basta (Terry). Brother Dennis Hale; Brothers in laws, Roy Rogers and Wayne Cantrell. Sister in laws, Betty Hale, Anita Hale, Jeanie Hale, Pat Hale, Annette Hale, Janette Skinner, Ann Rogers, Noanna Anderson, Judy Kay Osborn, and Janis Cantrell. Grandchildren, Kyla Browning (Ricky), Kelli Banning (Zack), Samantha Hale, Little Richie Hale, Kristeena Basta, and Elliott Basta. Great-grandchildren, Avery, Kyson and Maddyn Browning, Kolby Clay, Keven, Kase and Sasha Pannell. Whitey is survived by many nieces, nephews and other extended family members and a lifetime of friends.

Funeral services for Whitey were held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at First Assembly of God in Checotah with Reverend Bud Shackleford and Reverend Justin Villines ministering. Committal prayers and burial followed at Middleton Chapel Cemetery, under the personal direction of John Garrett. Earl “Bubba” Mathews, Charlie Harris, Leroy “Spank” Whittle, Brett McFarland, William Hill and Stevie Don Tankersley served as Casket Bearers. Dean Casey, Ramsey Casey and Keith “Meatloaf ” Whittle served as Honorary Casket Bearers.

Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
A: Main, News...
Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
The City of Checotah showed off its bold stripes, bright stars and brave hearts this Fourth of July after working countless hours so residents could celebrate their freedom with lots of family fun and...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Sexual Assault Awareness Honor Walk
July 10, 2025
Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m. Posey Park, Eufaula Show your support for survivors Take a stand against violence! Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 10, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
this is a test
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
A: Main, News...
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
Last Thursday family and friends said goodbye to former city councilwoman Jerri Reaves who had passed away on June 26 at the age of 82. Jerri graduated from Checotah High School in 1962. In 1980, she ...
this is a test
News
Trump administration freezes over $70 million state’s education funds
By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 10, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump administration is indefinitely withholdin...
this is a test
News
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 10, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Plumb Theatre News
News
Plumb Theatre News
By MATTIE AND PAUL MALOY PLUMB THEATRE 
July 10, 2025
Never too early to start singing and the HALLELUJAH HONEYS are representative of that. Kate Andrews will be singing and playing with two other Honeys, Aubree,13, and Charlee, 10. They are some cuties ...
this is a test
Freedom Fest
News
Freedom Fest
July 10, 2025
Checotah residents celebrated their freedom with lots of family fun and fireworks on July 4th weekend at Freedom Fest.
this is a test
Police training
News
Police training
July 10, 2025
Recently local law enforcement trained for two days on different scenarios that might arise during traffic stops, hostage situations, domestic disturbances, and more.
this is a test
News
Two from area on UCO Honor Rolls
July 10, 2025
EDMOND - Two from this area have made he University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest acad...
this is a test
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 10, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy