Nathan Chalmas Kale

NATHAN CHALMAS KALE EFFINGHAM, S.C. NATHAN CHALMAS KALE, 86, of Effingham, passed away Friday, January 18, 2013 in the McLeod Hospice House after an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in the Effingham Presbyterian Church (ARP), with interment following in Lebanon Cemetery, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Nathan was born December 27, 1926 in Effingham, the son of the late Robert E. and Lottie M. Hatchell Kale. After graduating from Tans Bay High School at age 17, he asked his father to sign for him to join the US Navy since he was underage. During WWII, he was stationed aboard the USS Alcor and served in the Pacific Theater until the war ended.After returning to Effingham at war's end, he met the love of his life, Lena M. Bazen of Pamplico on a blind date, and they married on November 27, 1946. They celebrated 66 years of marriage this past year. After starting his family, he tried his hand at farming, but decided that didn't suit him, so he went to work for Coble Dairies and later co-founded Independent Dairies, the Pet Milk distributorship for Florence and Marion Counties. He was well known as the Milkman for many years. He ended his working career at La-Z-Boy, and in retirement enjoyed building cabinets, swings, gun cases, or anything from wood for his family and friends. Nathan was raised in the Effingham Presbyterian Church, and rejoined that church after moving his family back to the family land from Florence in 1962. He served his church in many capacities through the years. He and some of his church brothers started a Wednesday and Friday morning get-together at Hardee's and made many new friends through the years with people who joined this group for breakfast, and they continue to meet to this day. He also went to O.H. Meggs store on Monday mornings with several friends for a "hot dog and Pepsi breakfast", where they discussed community and world issues. He is survived by his loving wife, Lena of the home; his sister, Amy (Coleman) Taylor of Claussen; sons, Nathan C. "Nick" (Debra) Kale of Effingham; David R. (Judy) Kale of Groesbeck, TX and Kerry A. (Jeanette) Kale of Florence; daughter, Paula Kale Poston of Florence; 8 grandchildren, Nathan (Janet) Kale, III, Jason Kale, John (Melissa) Kale, Syndey (John) O’Donnell, Amanda Kale, Mary Beth Corriher-Powell, Misty (Dwayne) Ard and Joseph Kale; and 6 great-grandhchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert E. Kale, Jr. The family requests you honor his life by making memorial contributions to McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC, 29502 or to Effingham Presbyterian Church Choir Fund, 526 East Effingham Highway, Effingham, SC 29541. Please sign the online guest registry at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.