Diana Jo Hale

Diana Jo Hale, 79, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in Palm Desert, California.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, with Father Ben Huynh officiating. Burial has already taken place in California. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post #105 Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Diana’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Diana was born January 17, 1938, in Crothersville, Missouri to Jim & Eula (Coburn) DeFries. She was raised in Benton Harbor. In 1955, Diana graduated from Benton Harbor High School and beauty school. For over 61 years, she was a self-employed hairdresser, owning her own business for most of those years. Diana’s passion was cooking. She loved to participate in area baking contests, winning a few.  She also enjoyed spending time in her garden.  Diana is survived by daughters, Denise (Brian) Habig of Palm Desert, CA & Heidi (Don) Weiss of Marseilles, IL; son, Beau (Quinn) Hale of Chicago, IL; brother, Jack DeFries of Marcellus, MI; sister, Joyce (Roger) Cushing of Bountiful, UT; grandsons, Cody Christensen of Jasper, IN, Casey Christensen of LaQuinta, CA, & Tyler Newman of Moline, IL; granddaughters, Calli Newman of Nashville, TN & Taylor (Chris) Tonioni of Normal, IL; and many nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother in infancy, and grandparents.