Kenneth Hale

Kenneth M. Hale, Jr., 65, life-long resident of Shippensburg, died on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at his home.

He was born on September 11, 1949, in Chambersburg, the son of the late Kenneth M. and Eunice Jones Hale, Sr. Ken was a 1967 graduate of Shippensburg High School, a 1971 graduate of Lebanon Valley College, majoring in English, and he also completed some graduate work at Shippensburg University.

After graduating high school, Ken was licensed as a Real Estate Salesman in 1968. However, he taught English at the Chambersburg Junior High School, for three years, upon graduating from college. Ken joined his father’s real estate agency, the former Hale Real Estate, Shippensburg, in 1974, and received his Real Estate Broker’s License in 1975.

Ken’s professional and community volunteer affiliations were many. He was a member of all the local, state, and national Realtor Associations; a charter member of the former Greater Chambersburg Area Multi-List Association, serving in various offices, including three separate times as President; a member of the Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Shippensburg Rotary Club, serving as Treasurer for nine years, as well as the Chairman of the Polio Plus Committee that raised over $22,000 locally (late 70’s early 80’s); served on the planning committee and also as Treasurer, that started the original Shippensburg Corn Festival; was the Chairman of the committee that raised funds for the study of the historical buildings in Shippensburg, which eventually evolved into the creation of Shippensburg’s Historical District; and served on the Spring Hill Cemetery Board of Directors, from 1979 through 2013, in the capacity of Secretary and Treasurer, for the vast majority of those years.

In his free time Ken traveled extensively taking numerous trips to Mexico, Cape Cod, the Florida Keys, and the Caribbean. He toured many National Parks, such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Canyon Lands, and Zion. Ken took European over-land tours through Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, and Wales; and in his later years, cruises through the Mediterranean, Baltic Seas, and the Coast of Normandy. Of note, during his travels, Ken passed through the Panama Canal twice.

Ken was the last surviving member of his immediate family. A number of cousins and close friends survive him. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Judith E. Hale, who died on May 13, 2011; and his companion of almost forty years, Mr. William E. Masemer, who died on September 14, 2013.

His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Inc., Shippensburg. The Rev. Dr. Francis H. Norton will officiate. Interment will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the services on Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter at 5051 Letterkenny Road West Chambersburg, PA 17201.