Derek Hale

Derek Justin Hale, 25, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, in Wilmington, Del.

He was born Oct. 2, 1981, in Cape Girardeau, to Dennis and Connie Hale. He and Elaine Carrigan were married Oct. 22, 2005, in Atlanta Beach, N.C. They resided in Manassas, Va.

Derek served in the U.S. Marine Corps from January 2001 to February 2006. He survived two tours in Iraq. His favorite pastimes were riding his Harley, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Paul and Freda Hale of Fredericktown, Mo.

Loving survivors include his wife, Elaine; a daughter, Dakota Hale of North Carolina; two stepchildren, Taylor and Garrett Carrigan of Manassas; father and stepmother, Dennis and Linda Hale of Cape Girardeau; mother, Connie Hale of Cape Girardeau; maternal grandparents, Von and Mary "Tootie" Ridings of Cape Girardeau and Reva Faulkner of Patterson, Mo.; a sister, Marlena Hale of Cape Girardeau; two stepsisters, Paula McCormack of Jackson, Loretta Kincaid of Cape Girardeau; a stepbrother, Jason Singleton of Bonne Terre, Mo.; four nieces; five nephews; and childhood best friend, Gabe Kinder.

The funeral was held Nov. 16 in Manassas. He was laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Va., with military honors.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at La Croix United Methodist Church, 3102 Lexington Ave. in Cape Gir¿ardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Derek Hale Memorial, in care of Beverly at Alliance Bank, P.O. Box 1458, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702.

Derek was a loving husband, father, son, grandson, brother, uncle, and good friend to many. He was taken from us much too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

DEREK, IF WE COULD WALK A THOUSAND MILES JUST TO SEE YOU AGAIN, WE WOULD.