Rodger D. Hale, 67, of Brumbaugh Lane, Seneca, died peacefully at 5:45 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016 surrounded by his much loved family, following a long-term illness. 

                He was born December 21, 1948 in Eau Claire.   Rodger was the son of the late Gerald and Doris (McGinnis) Dunkle and the late Robert Hale. 

                He was a 1966 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School in Foxburg. 

                Rodger especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids, working on the computer, woodworking, and painting cars. 

                He was a very hard worker and worked in the auto body and auto painting business since the age of sixteen.  He also worked for J&L Steel in Oil City for ten years. 

                He was married on October 23, 1981 to the former Theresa (Palinski) Luktisch, and she survives. 

                Also surviving are six children:  William Hale and his wife Peggy, Melissa Brown, Mike Luktisch and his companion Dana, Theresa Webb and her husband Dave, Steve Luktisch, and Frank Luktisch and his wife Jennifer; thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. 

                Rodger is also survived by two sisters, Gerri Shoup and her husband Tom and Gloria Briggs and her husband Roy; and three brothers, Terry Dunkle and his wife Joyce, David Dunkle, and Francis Dunkle.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. 

                In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Peter G. Luktisch, III; and a grandson, Mikey J. Luktisch. 

                Friends will be received Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.  A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Mr. Travis Earp, with the Living Word Church, officiating. 

                In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to assist with funeral expenses may be made to Hile-Best Funeral Home, P.O. Box 245, Seneca, PA  16346.

                Rodger's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the Venango V.N.A. Hospice Program and hospice nurse Joyce Schwab for providing exceptional care and compassion over the last few weeks. 

 Service Information