Mary Sarah Bales, 100, was born May 6, 1925, in Grant County, to the late George and Charlotte Bales.
She passed away at her home in Hamden, Conn., August 14, 2025.
Mary graduated from Satanta High School in 1944 and attended business school in Denver, Colo.
She spent a brief time working in Washington, DC before moving to New Haven, Conn., in February 1954.
She enjoyed traveling, hiking, canoeing, biking, cross-country skiing, and square dancing with Buttons and Bows. She visited all 50 states, Europe, and hiked the Milford Track in New Zealand. One of her favorite accomplishments was climbing all of the 4,000-footers in New England. She was also a member of the New Haven Hiking Club and Huff and Puffs for many years.
She was preceded in death by her sisters: Lorie Hatcher and Doris Kimbrel; brother, Calvin Bales; and half-siblings: Fred Bales, Geneva Larkin, Verl and Melvin Larkin.
She is survived by her niece, Charlotte Sroka (John), and grandniece, Karen Wesman (Holly), all of Foxboro, Mass., Janet Sroka and Steven Wheeler, both of Meriden, Conn., great-grandniece and nephew, Sophia and Ryan Wheeler, nephew, Rick Kimbrel (Lanna), Winfield, Kan., grand-nephew, Darrick Kimbrel, niece, Heather Pike (Jon); nephew, Kent Kimbrel, nephew, Bill Hatcher (Marcia), grandniece, Jessica Hatcher Scatlin, and Will Hatcher of Satanta, Kan., and several grandnieces and nephews across the states.
Friends were able to visit with Mary’s family from 10:30-11 a.m., Thursday, August 21, in the Hamden Plains United Methodist Church, 15 Church Street, Hamden, Connt.
Funeral services took place at 11 a.m.
Graveside services are planned for 1 p.m., today, Thursday, September 4, at the Ulysses Cemetery.
Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Hamden Plains United Methodist Church.
To send condolences, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.
