Jack E. Kale, age 75, formerly of Brown County,  passed away peacefully at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital on May 10, 2014. 

Jack was born on January 11, 1939 in Topeka, Kansas and came to Hiawatha as a young boy where he grew up on the family farm.  He served in the United States Air Force for several years and worked at Gardner Bakery, Dairy Equipment and the Alliant Energy Center Memorial Coliseum.  He was a born mechanic and enjoyed building pig roasters and repairing all kinds of vehicles and equipment.  He was a master welder and his hobbies included snowmobiling, fishing, boating, RVing and vacationing in Mexico. 

Jack is survived by his wife, Gerry, sons Philip E. and Gary L. Kale, step-daughter April E. Blank and her husband Erik; and stepson, Kyle M. Culver. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Fred E. and Myrtle F. (Smith) Kale. 

Memorial services will be held at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm with inurnment at the Claytonville Cemetery to follow, with military honors.  Shane Spangler will officiate. The family will greet friends a half-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jack was a medical miracle making it almost 11 years after a heart transplant, a real fighter, and will be missed by all who knew him.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com