Lester Michael Hale

Funeral services for Lester Michael Hale, 76, of Monroe, Louisiana, will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 12, 2023, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe, with Clay Cassie officiating. Interment will follow at the Northeast Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.

Lester Michael “Mike” Hale, 76, of Monroe, passed away at his home on December 5, 2023. He was born in Monroe, Louisiana, on September 15, 1947, to Luther Milton and Corine Virginia Hale. Mike attended West Monroe High School, Class of 1966, before enlisting in the United States Air Force in the same year.  He served until 1970, when he returned home to West Monroe, where he spent most of his life with his wife and family.  He began a career in carpentry and electrical.  He was a proud Veteran and loved fishing, hunting, sports, music, riding his Harley motorcycle, and adored his family. He enjoyed grilling and having bonfires with his family. The past three years, he and his wife enjoyed their time in retirement at their home on the bayou watching the wildlife and loving their family. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Virginia Hale; brothers, Phillip Hale, Richard Hale, and Vernon Hale; and sister, Lynette Chandler.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of fifty-five years, Johnnie Mae Johnson Hale; sister, Cheryl Kinard; children, Jana Griffin and spouse, Robbi, Jon Hale and spouse, Amy, Joy Caissie and spouse, Clay; grandchildren, Ashley Raney and spouse, Michael Paul, Dillon Bull, Jacob Broussard, Madalyne Breen and spouse, Austin, Kennedy Broussard, Allyson Griffin, Macy Hale, and Ava Hale; great grandchildren, Michael Ponsell, Gracie Raney, Michaela Raney, and Thomas Bull; special sister in laws, Jackie Pardue and spouse, Larry, and Judi Rice and spouse, LeRoy. 

His enormous heart, infectious humor, and unwavering love for his wife and family defined him. He fought a courageous six-year battle with lung cancer, a struggle many weren't aware of due to his private nature. We're grateful for the precious time we had with him, and we ask for your prayers for our sweet Moma and our family as we navigate this difficult time. They shared fifty-five beautiful years together. A true testament to enduring love. Rest in Heavenly Peace Diddy/Pops/Popsy/Dad.

The family would also like to extend special thanks to Oncology Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weinberger, and his loving staff as well as the staff at Monroe VA Clinic, and Dr. Palla. He felt wrapped in love for the last six years with all your care. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Finally, we have hearts full of gratitude to the Mulhearn Family, who have served the Hale family through the years and for the compassion and empathy you’ve shown our family. 

The pallbearers will be Jacob Broussard, Kennedy Broussard, Dillon Bull, Shelton Hale

Andrew Hale, and Michael Paul Raney. Honorary pallbearers will be Austin Breen, Sean Boudreaux, Jay Webb, Jody Webb, Earl Elkins, Daniel Rice, and Chris Rice.

In lieu of flowers, our family would appreciate memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.