Curt Hale

Curt Hale, a mentor and coach to his children as well as hundreds of other Antigo area youth over the decades, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 under the care of the Kindred Reflections Unit and LeRoyer Hospice. He was 54 years old. Earl Curtis Hale was born on Feb. 16, 1959 in Kansas City, Mo., a son of the late Iris (Cheney) and John "Pappy" Hale. His father was a member of the United States Air Force, a career which brought the family to the Antigo Radar Base, and "Pappy" Hale later served as Langlade County's veterans' service officer. Mr. Hale attended Antigo High School, graduating in 1978, and was known for his exploits on the athletic field. He was involved in both track and football and was a defensive back on the 1976 Red Robin state championship gridiron team. He and members of the 1978 and 1982 state championship squads were honored by the current Red Robins at a home game this past fall. He attended Lakeland College for two years, where he was a member of the football squad. Mr. Hale was employed in a variety of manufacturing jobs in Antigo and Wausau and also was a manager for the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise here. He tended bar at many area establishments, including owning the Thirsty Cowboy Saloon from 1989 until 1991, where his fun-loving and hard-working nature made him a favorite among clientele. He also operated Curt's Law Mowing Service and, for a time, owned and operated Antigo Fitness Center. He served as a Little League, football and soccer coach and in the late 1980s worked with the Antigo High School freshmen squad. He remained "coach" to hundreds of youth for years afterwards. He was also an avid golfer, bowler and Green Bay Packer fan and shareholder. Mr. Hale's family was the forefront of his life. He and Denise Fleischman were married on June 13, 1992 at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo by Father Charles Hoffmann and the couple celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2012. He rarely missed a sporting, musical, drama or other event that included any of his three children. In addition to his wife, Denise, 112 Field St., survivors include their two sons, Seth, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and Joshua, a senior at Antigo High School; their daughter, Emma, a sophomore at Antigo High School; two sisters, Valerie (Kurt) Lex of Neenah, and Sandy Lawyer of Antigo; and a brother Tim (Kathy) Hale of Antigo. He is further survived by his wife's family, including his father-in-law, Ken Fleischman of Antigo; sisters-in law, Cathy (Rob) Wild, Antigo, Mikki (Kevin) Fronek, Schofield, and Julie (Bob) Schofield, Brooklyn; brother-in-law, Rick (Sheri) Fleischman, Germantown; aunts, Jean Hale and Carol Ann Hartman, Cumberland, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hale was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Doug Lawyer, a half-brother, Bobby Wells, as a child, and his mother-in-law, Carol Fleischman. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Father Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will be in Queen of Peace Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Strasser-Roller Funeral Home and Thursday at Hoffmann Hall adjacent to St. John Catholic Church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services.