Michael R. Hall

1962 - 2025

Michael "Rusty" Hall, Life of the Party Golfer Friend to All, left us on October 28, 2025.
Born in 1962 and raised with just the right mix of charm, wit, and stubbornness, Rusty lived a life full of laughter, friends, golf, and-if we're being honest-probably a little more laughter after a drink or two.
Rusty leaves behind his two daughters, Maggie Seymour (Darrin) and Katie Bull (Chris), who inherited his sarcasm, love of a good time, and probably a few of his bar tabs; and their mother, Lori Hartz. He was "Grandpa Rusty" to six grandkids-Andrew, Addie, Will, Nora, Henry, and Annie-who always knew that if he was around, snacks and stories weren't far behind. He also leaves behind his favorite uncle, Bob Shirley, whose guidance, humor, and kindness he cherished; and his treasured friend, Estella Vargas Ramos.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucretia Hall.
A graduate of Jacksonville High School (1980) and Eastern Illinois University (1984), Rusty was the kind of guy who never met a stranger, rarely turned down a Bombay Sapphire, and always had a story (or ten) to tell. He loved live music, his beloved St. Louis Cardinals, the Washington Redskins, and any excuse to place a friendly bet on a round of golf-usually confident that this was going to be the day he shot under par (it wasn't, but we let him believe it).
He spent many good years playing soccer and softball, golfing in the Longneck League, working at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, and living in South Texas surrounded by friends he considered family-though if you were lucky enough to be in his circle, he probably referred to you as "buddy," "chief," or some nickname you never asked for.
Rusty's legacy lives on in every bad golf swing, every jukebox singalong, every spontaneous road trip, and every friend who says, "Remember when Rusty" (and then trails off laughing too hard to finish the sentence).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you grab a drink with a friend, crank up some 90's rock, and toast to the man who taught us all to live a little looser and laugh a lot louder.
We'll miss you, Rusty-but something tells us you're already working the room in heaven's clubhouse.
In true Rusty fashion, a birthday celebration of life is planned for January 25, 2026, at K's Creek, Jacksonville, Illinois, from 1–4 p.m. Pencil us in-and spread the word!