Roy "Bozo" A. Hale

Roy Aloysius “Wah Sah Wok” “Bozo” Hale, 96, of Mayetta, KS, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Midland Hospice House, as the result of an automobile accident. He was born October 19, 1929 in Mayetta, KS, the son of Joseph P. “Shakey” Hale and Jane (Blandin) Puckkee.

Roy graduated from Circleville High School in 1948 and he graduated from Haskell Junior College; using the G.I. Bill in 1989.

He proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 - 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He worked for Sunflower Ordinance Army Ammunition Plant in DeSoto, KS after the war ended. He joined the United States Air Force and began working for the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and earning the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1958. Later he re-enlisted with the United States Air Force working in Ft. Holabird and later as Administrative Clerk to the Texas Towers in Cape Cod, MA. His next assignment was in Fuji, Japan at the Headquarters of the Fifth Air Force. He ended his military career and discharged at Travis Air Force Base in CA in 1964. Roy served over 28 years with Military and Federal Service.

He was a proud elder member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 and Jackson County Historical Society. He was the caretaker for Shipshee Cemetery for many years and was inducted into the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his nephew, Martin Hale (Donna) of Topeka, KS; great-niece, Megan Hale of Denver, CO and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Hale and Jane Puckkee and brother, Lawrence “Emery” Hale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta, KS. Roy will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2026 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Sister Therese Klepac Hall with visitation to follow. Inurnment will be at a later date in Shipshee Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the We-Ta-Se Post American Legion Post 410 c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.