Durral Andrew Hale

35 year old, Officer Durral Andrew Hale, of Wheatfield, passed away July 27, 2026, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

On January 25, 1991, Durral was born to Durral ‘Rusty’ Hale and Teresa (Chapman) Payton, in Valparaiso, Indiana. He graduated from Kankakee Valley High School, class of 2010. Durral married the love of his life, Melissa Bood, on October 26, 2019. He was a protector who spent his life working in law enforcement, starting in the Jasper County Sheriff Office from 2015 until 2021, as well as the DeMotte Police Department, starting part time in 2017 and worked there up until recently. Durral was also a member of the Wheatfield Volunteer Fire Department. He was a mechanic, a jack of all trades, fisherman, car fanatic, and motor lover. He loved to help people, and would give anything he had for those who needed it. Durral was a devoted husband, brother, son, friend, but his most prized title he held was Daddy.

Durral is survived by his loving wife: Melissa, daughter: Athena Hale, mother: Teresa Payton, step-mom: Suzanne Hale, and siblings: Justin Hale, Brittney (Dylan Enquist Bajo) Hale, Adam (Cassidy Schneider) Kosakowski, Susan (Chris Mance) Payton.

Durral was preceded in death by his father: Rusty Hale, and grandparents: Durral (Carol Sue) Hale, and George (Wilma) Chapman.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Grace Church, 1424 8th Street SE, DeMotte. Funeral Services for Durral will start at 12:00 p.m. with Chaplain Tom Shanahan officiating. Interment will follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Athena for her college fund.