Laurie Hale

Laurie Sue Hale (Susie) of Granger, IN, with her children by her side, was called home to Paradise by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Susie, as affectionately known by most, was the eldest of four children born September 23, 1941, to Joseph D. and Wilma (Seigler) Stoner. Susie is survived by her two children, Stephanie Pass (Wayne) of Naperville IL, and Stephen Hale (Tracy) of Granger IN; three grandsons she loved dearly, Jacob Pass of Nashville TN, Zachary Hale of Indianapolis IN, and Grant Pass of Naperville IL; siblings William “Bill” Stoner (Jim Lovell) of Tourves France, Tom Stoner (Patti) of Granger IN, and Tami Voss of Mishawaka IN. Susie was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Hale, in 2023.

Susie was a multifaceted force of nature. Growing up in South Bend, she revealed her God-given gift for theater and music at John Adams High School leading productions highlighting her dancing, acting, and voice. She went on to major in Theater and Dance at Indiana University. After temporarily pausing her pursuits to wed, she put her passion and talent for theater to use, becoming “Miss Susie” on the Romper Room TV show for children (WNDU) between 1962 and 1968. During this time, she realized her dream of becoming a mother to her two children.

As the arts forever coursed through her veins, she also proved to be a brilliant woman with an unmatched work ethic. Susie completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business at Indiana University South Bend while raising two children as a single mom and working to make ends meet for her family. Leveraging this achievement, she embarked on a career at St. Joe Bank, where she ultimately met and fell in love with her future husband, Tony Hale. Her family, now complete, afforded her greatest strengths as matriarch and nurturer to be fully realized.

Ever the teacher, with a passion for helping others, Susie continued to evolve and reinvent herself by achieving a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and ultimately earning her PhD from Andrews University in 1995. Reaching the pinnacle of academia as a professor at Indiana University South Bend, Dr. Laurie Sue Hale channeled her love of reading to equip the next generation of teachers to share that love with their young students, forever leaving a legacy of enlightenment and self-growth.

Susie’s thankfulness and servant’s heart were boundless. She seized every opportunity to give, including her work with Junior League, volunteering as a director and call taker with Suicide Prevention, and hosting foreign exchange students in her home. It is impossible to count how many lives she has changed and even saved. She and Tony were also generous with their resources without calling attention to themselves. They created a scholarship at Indiana University South Bend for single parents in the name of Joe and Wilma Stoner, as

well as a scholarship at Northwest Mississippi Junior College in the name of Roe Weeks (Tony’s Grandmother).

A dancer, a television star, an amazing mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, educator, and the life of the party everywhere she went—there will only ever be one Sue, Susie, Miss Susie, Mom, Cakes, Stein, Suts, Dr. Laurie Sue Hale. There is dancing in Paradise….

A special thank you goes to the amazing and loving caregivers at Story Point in Granger. As a resident in memory care assisted living, Susie lived her final years smiling, dancing, loving, and being loved, in no small part thanks to these wonderful people. We will forever be grateful to you.

A Celebration of Life will take place at McGann Hay University Chapel (2313 Edison Rd., South Bend, IN 46615) on Thursday, July 9th, 2026. Visitation will be from 4–6 p.m., followed by the Memorial Service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pet Refuge, Inc. (South Bend, IN).

To share memories or leave condolences for the family please visit www.mcgannhay.com