Elaine Hale

Elaine was born September 25, 1937 in Wayne, Michigan to Raymond Sutter and Jane Ann (Buchanan) Sutter and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in English Literature.  Elaine had an avid love of music and a beautiful soprano voice. As a young woman she was in several dramatic productions, and while in college sang with the renowned Michigan Choral Union and the Bach Choir.

After graduation, Elaine’s career focused on promotions and public relations.  She worked for the University of Michigan followed by a position in the Press Department for CBS in Hollywood, CA. Upon her return to Detroit, she worked for WJR Radio in program promotion, where she met Jim Hale, whom she married in 1964. She then worked for Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit as a director of public relations and sales promotions and then at Marathon Oil Company, where she was the first woman hired from outside the corporation for public relations.

Her first daughter, Amy Hale was born in 1968, and Elaine became a stay-at- home mom.  In 1976, Elaine and Jim adopted their second daughter, June Rae Hale (b. 1970) from Seoul, South Korea. In 1979, the family moved to Coral Springs, FL to take over the Sutter family furniture store and to care for Elaine’s ailing father.  While in Florida, Elaine worked as the director of public relations and advertising for the South Florida Symphony Orchestra and was the Southern Public Relations Director for Carvel Ice Cream. After the passing of Elaine’s father, the Hale family relocated to Geneseo, IL.

Elaine was an accomplished artist and was able to pursue her love of painting in Geneseo. She held several offices in the Geneseo Art League, including president. Her paintings won several awards, including a contest sponsored by AARP’s Modern Maturity magazine.  The award-winning painting toured the country for two years and was displayed in the Kennedy Center, Washington DC.

Elaine Hale is survived by her daughters Amy and June.  She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.  There will be no visitation or funeral; her family will have a quiet memorial in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, where she will join her beloved husband Jim.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607.