Hal E. Tate, Sr.

Hal Eugene Tate, Sr., of Monmouth, IL, died on Friday, August 2, 2019, at Courtyard Estates in Monmouth. He enjoyed living at his home in rural Monmouth until June of this year, when following several illnesses, he moved to Courtyard.

Mr. Tate was born in Jonesboro, TN, on June 9, 1923, to Gentry and Lizzie (Mitchell) Tate. He was one of eleven children; all but one sibling preceded him in death. He is survived by a brother, Gentry Tate, of San Antonio, Texas. One of Hal’s and his wife Kate’s greatest pleasures was traveling yearly to east Tennessee to see family and friends. His wife Kate proceeded him in death in July, 2017.

He married Katherine (White) Tate on August 20, 1953, in Piney Flats, TN. They met while working at Mountain Home Veteran’s Hospital in Johnson City following WWII; from there they moved to Plainfield, NJ, and then to Maywood, IL, where they continued to work in veteran’s hospitals. In 1967, the family relocated to Monmouth so that Hal could help his father-in-law, Alfred White, on the family farm. In 1988, he retired from Monmouth Hospital, working primarily as an aide in Radiology, and in several other departments at the hospital.

Mr. Tate was a WWII veteran, serving in Europe in the US Army Corp of Engineers. In March of 1945, his unit was in Remagen, Germany, working to protect the Ludendorff Bridge, when he was injured by a shrapnel explosion and began a lengthy recovery. In addition to being awarded the Purple Heart, Mr. Tate received the WW II, American Campaign, Efficiency Honor Fidelity, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medals. While working at Mountain Home Veteran’s Hospital, and earlier in the army, Hal was an avid baseball player and had the pleasure of catching for baseball great Warren Spahn. Hal was a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mr. Tate loved spending time in the outdoors, mowing, gardening, playing golf, doing yard work, and raising fruit trees. He loved to grow fruit and vegetables and was a great pupil of seed catalogues and the Farmer’s Almanac. He also enjoyed history and learning and was an avid crossword puzzle worker. He enjoyed family get-togethers with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mr. Tate was a member of Fairview Center Church for over 50 years.

He will be greatly missed by his family. His survivors include two daughters, Cathy (Craig) Sheagren of Monmouth, and Lisa (Chris Wilt) Olson of Landisburg, PA, and two sons, Hal (Kathy) Tate, Jr., of Monmouth, and Jeff Tate of Kirkwood. Sixteen grandchildren survive: Carie (Tyson) Geertz, Stephanie (John) Marron, Ben (Jennifer) Sheagren, Mike (Sarah) Sheagren, Andy Sheagren, Gentry Tate, Aaron Tate, Katie Tate, Darcy Young, Tyler (Morgan) Tate, Tanner Tate, Trace Tate, Lanie Tate, Alex Olson, Matt (Jessica) Olson and Kim Olson. Twenty-one great-grandchildren survive: Daniel Brewer, Laura Geertz, Becky Geertz, Robin Marron, Abbie Marron, Thomas Marron, August Sheagren, Jacob Sheagren, Lonnie Sheagren, Tad Sheagren, Sydney Tate, Callie Tate, Grant Tate, Andrew Tate, Jackson Tate, Addie Tate, Oscar Young, Jet Young, Piper Young, Benson Tate and Clark Tate. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth is in charge of arrangements. A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home. A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are being designated for Fairview Center United Methodist Church or Gary Sinise Foundation for Veterans. Following the graveside service, a light meal will be served at the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth, 221 E. Broadway. 

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