Doris E. Bale, 97, of Lisle, died at 6:50 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2020, in Edward Hospital in Naperville.
She was born November 24, 1922, in Fulton County, the daughter of Samuel M. and Anna L. (Dikeman) Tolley. She married Willis R. Bale on August 29, 1942, in Canton, Missouri. He preceded her in death on May 10, 2008, after nearly 66 years of marriage.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda (Richard) Franckowiak of Naperville; a son, Charles (Linda) Bale of Kirkland, Washington; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a sister, Carol LaPlante of Forsyth, Missouri. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, David L. Bale; and a daughter, Frances I. Bale.
Doris grew up in the depression and learned values that stayed with her throughout her life. Use it up, wear it out, and make do or do without became her life-long motto. During her teen years, she barnstormed with her family throughout the southeast while her father gave airplane rides in small airports and farmer’s fields. She returned to Abingdon and completed her high school education in 1941.
After her marriage, Doris became an Army wife, following Willis from base to base until he went overseas. After the war, they lived in Hermon, Illinois and Aurora, Illinois before moving to Galesburg to raise their family of four children. She worked at Admirals from 1966 to 1977, when they moved to Peoria. After retirement, Doris and Willis enjoyed 20 years as snowbirds in Sebring and Avon Park, Florida. After Willis passed away, she lived in East Dundee and then moved to Lisle in 2011.
Doris was a member of First United Methodist Church in Galesburg and First Free Methodist Church in Peoria. She very much enjoyed meeting people and making friends wherever she lived.
Visitation will be 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens with Rev. Mary Runge officiating. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
