Hal Franklin Canode, 82, of Marion, passed away at 6:05 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Wesleyan Health Care & Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Marion, Indiana, on Friday, July 28, 1944, to Howard and Rosetta (Smith) Canode. He attended Roseburg Elementary and graduated from Marion High School in 1962. He then attended General Motors Institute before entering the United States Army. While in the Army, he made the pistol team and was an expert marksman, even earning a lifetime membership in the National Rifle Association.
Hal returned to Marion and started working at Western Dodge, as a mechanic. He next opened his own vehicle engine repair shop, Performance Automotive, where he specialized in Volkswagen repair. During this same time, he was welding and building frames and bodies for rail dragsters and funny cars. He built dragsters for himself which he drove from 1970 until his final race in September of 2025 at the age of 81. Even then, he was quicker off the starting line than others. He won the UDRA Points Championship in 1993 driving his own dragster.
Survivors include his sister, Camille (Mike) Bush of Henderson, NV; brother, Tim (Janice) Canode of Marion; niece, Kristi (Frank) Loe of Lancaster, OH and her sons, Brady (Sara) Runyon of Hebron, KY, and Brody (Taylor) Runyon of Boston, MA; nephew, Chadd (Brandi) Canode and their children, Casen, Brylandd, Bentleyy, and Campbelle of Davenport, FL.
The family wishes to extend a special “thank you” to Bob Derry for his daily visits; friend, Brittany Young and Heart to Heart Hospice and also to Wesleyan Health Care for their wonderful care.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Rosetta Canode; and his beloved wife, Dianna L. Canode.
At this time, there will be no public services.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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