Longtime Salem Grocer and Community Leader Patricia Hall Dies at 98

Hall co-owned Hall's Grocery Store and Restwell Motel, was active in Kiwanis for decades

Mar. 24, 2026 at 3:27pm

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Patricia Hall, a lifelong resident of Salem, Illinois who co-owned a local grocery store and motel with her late husband James for many years, passed away on March 20, 2026 at the age of 98. Hall was known for her strong work ethic, friendly spirit, and dedication to community service, including 18 years as secretary of the Salem Kiwanis and a term as Distinguished Lt. Governor.

Why it matters

Patricia Hall's passing marks the end of an era for Salem, Illinois, as she and her husband were pillars of the community for decades through their family businesses and civic involvement. Her life story reflects the values of hard work, family, and community service that defined many small-town Midwestern business owners of her generation.

The details

Hall co-owned Hall's Grocery Store and the Restwell Motel in Salem, Illinois, where she and her husband James served the community with dedication and care for many years. She was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem for 75 years and was a life member of Kiwanis International, serving as secretary of the Salem Kiwanis for 18 years and as Distinguished Lt. Governor of Division 33 in the I-I District from 2006-2007.

  • Patricia Hall passed away on March 20, 2026 at the age of 98.
  • Hall was born on March 25, 1927 in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania.
  • Hall married James W. Hall on May 26, 1947 in Morganfield, Kentucky.
  • Hall's husband James preceded her in death in 2004.
  • Hall moved to Murphysboro, Illinois in 2017 to be near her son, and in 2020 she moved to Voyage Senior Living in Murphysboro.

The players

Patricia Hall

A 98-year-old resident of Salem, Illinois who co-owned Hall's Grocery Store and the Restwell Motel with her late husband James for many years. She was known for her strong work ethic, friendly spirit, and dedication to community service.

James W. Hall

Patricia Hall's husband, who she was married to until his death in 2004. Together they co-owned Hall's Grocery Store and the Restwell Motel in Salem, Illinois.

Bob Hall

Patricia Hall's son, who she moved to Murphysboro, Illinois to be near in 2017.

Trinity United Methodist Church

The church in Salem, Illinois where Patricia Hall was a faithful member for 75 years.

Kiwanis International

The community service organization that Patricia Hall was a life member of, serving as secretary of the Salem Kiwanis for 18 years and as Distinguished Lt. Governor of Division 33 in the I-I District from 2006-2007.

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The takeaway

Patricia Hall's life story reflects the values of hard work, family, and community service that defined many small-town Midwestern business owners of her generation. Her decades of dedication to her family's businesses and civic organizations like Kiwanis left a lasting impact on the town of Salem, Illinois.