John D. Hall

CHARLESTON – John Doyle Hall, 90, of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at SBLHC, with family at his side.

John was born October 5, 1935 at Bushton, Illinois, son of Wilbur and Violet (Bell) Hall. He had been married to Linda Kelly Reed of Shelbyville, IL, and is survived by step-sons, Jerry G. Reed, Jr. of Asheville, NC and James G. Reed of Indianapolis, IN, and a brother, Albert Hall of Athens, TN. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Norma Ziegler, Lillie Doolin, and Dorothy Madlem; and three brothers, Zollie Hall, Harold Hall, and Charles Hall.

John received his diploma from Charleston High School in 1954. After high school, John volunteered for the Army Security Agency and was trained in the Korean language at the Army Language School. He served in Tokyo for 18 months, through the completion of his term in 1958, completing his enlistment with a rank of E-5.

Following his military service, he obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Eastern Illinois University. He was then employed at Jefferson Junior High in Mattoon, where he was also active in Adult Education., and the start of Mattoon Area Education Extension Center.

John received his Doctorate from Texas Tech University, where he also served on the faculty, and helped initiate the first Neighborhood Youth Corps class there.

From there, he joined the faculty at Illinois State University. In addition to his university duties, he was active in adult education in Bloomington-Normal and conducted corporate in-service training programs until he retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992.

During his professional career, John was active in local, state, and national educational associations. He was a published author, with articles in professional journals, and in the textbook field. John earned recognition from the business world for the in-house communication workshops he conducted.

John was a gifted athlete, beginning as a pitcher for the State Champion Charleston Jefferson Junior High Baseball team in 1949. In the Army, he pitched his California team and then his Tokyo team to post titles. In Tokyo, he was named MVP, and to the All-Star team. He also was on the post Volleyball Champion team in Tokyo. John bowled for a General Telephone team in Bloomington and was on a repeat Champion ISU Faculty-Staff League team.

His volunteer work in Charleston included the Charleston Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity house builds.

A graveside Memorial Service with military rites by Paul McVey V.F.W. Post #1592 and its’ Auxiliary and Charleston American Legion Post #93 will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Mound, Charleston. Arrangements: Harper-Swickard.