Betty Marie Hale

Betty Marie Hale, 90, of Tipton County Indiana passed away at 6:50 pm Thursday, April 2, 2026, at her home. She was born on April 13, 1935 in Scottsburg, Indiana, the 4th of 5 children of Paul Revere and Minnie Avis (Patton) Cass. In November of 1970, she married James Rex Hale Sr. who preceded her in death on July 21, 2004. Upon marrying Rex, she became a mother to his 3 children, James (14), Ann Marie (12), and John (7). Rex had many health problems in his later years and Betty, along with her entire family, became his compassionate care givers.

Betty was a 1954 graduate of Prairie High School. She worked at a variety of jobs including in-home care for the elderly, the canning and cheese factories in Sharpsville, and several years at Delco Electronics in Kokomo. In later years, she worked for Heartland Growers in Westfield.

Betty was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing and preserving her own fruits and vegetables. She had a great love for flowers and had quite a “green thumb.”  She was already looking forward to planting this year’s garden and was likely going to try out a vegetable she had never grown before. Always staying busy, she would find great enjoyment in crafting projects, many times with her sisters, Mary and Margaret. Their biggest project over the last several years was what Betty referred to as their “missionary work.” Countless hours were spent throughout the year working to fill Samaritan Purse Christmas boxes. The boxes would hold necessities but also wonderful hand crafted items they knew the children would treasure. Last year alone, she and her sister Mary donated 125 boxes to the organization. Betty also had a great talent for painting, whether it be ceramics or on canvas, she created many beautiful works of art. When Betty took the time to sit and rest, she would have the Jimmy Swaggart program on the television or gospel music playing on the CD player, while still keeping her hands busy with colored pencil creations.

Betty was a member of the Tipton, First Church of the Nazarene, and in more recent years, attended East Union Christian Church.

Betty is survived by her children; Ann Marie (Kip) Bergman, James Rex Hale Jr. (Teena), and John (Kathy) Carpenter. Grandchildren; Megan (Brandon) Abney, Ryan (Whitney) Bergman, Abby (John) Hobbs, and James Rex (Mary) Hale III. Great-grandchildren, Bentley Bergman, Lane Bergman, Amelia Bergman, Carter Hobbs, Elijah Hobbs, and Bauer Hobbs. Siblings; Mary Thurston and Robert (Sandy) Cass. Niece and nephews, Tracy Cass, Brian Cass, and James Thurston.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Rex Hale Sr., parents; Paul and Avis Cass, siblings; Donald (Waylon) Cass, Margaret (Leroy) Freed, and brother-in-law, Lee Thurston.

A funeral service celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 1 pm, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Stout & Son – Sharpsville Chapel, 204 N Church Street, Sharpsville, with Pastor Mark Knapp officiating. Burial in Sharpsville Cemetery will follow. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12 pm until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse. Messages of condolence may be made at www.stoutandson.com.

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