Donald R. “Don” Hatfield, 95 of Clay Center, died Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. Don was born on September 30, 1926 in Clay Center, the son of Nellie (Fitzgarrald) Hatfield and Edward Thomas Hatfield, the next to the youngest of 8 siblings; 3 boys and 5 girls.
Don attended Lincoln and McKinley grade schools and quit high school in his junior year to try and help with the war effort in some way. With no luck of getting a job, he entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served through 1946.
Upon returning to Clay Center, Don then finished his schooling on the G.I. Bill, graduating from CCCHS with the class of 1947. He was proud of his service to his country and his membership in the American Legion Post #227 at Clifton, where he was a member since 1951.
Don was united in marriage to Valda Jean Bloom on January 27, 1948 in Clay Center. To this union, three children were born: Thomas A., William L. and Iris Jean. Iris Jean only lived for four days and died of complications of parental blood factors. The couple lived in Kansas, Iowa and Illinois before returning to Clay Center in 1986. Valda preceded him in death on November 9, 2017.
After graduating and going to work for Livengood Motors, he also joined the local National Guard Unit and served two years as a Corporal in a machine gun platoon. He then became employed at the Northern Natural Gas Company in Clifton. After a few years, Don took advantage of some job opportunities being offered within the company and at the time of his retirement, he was maintenance supervisor of a large liquid storage field at Morris, Illinois. Don accepted early retirement after 36 years on January 1, 1986.
Don was a member of the Clay Center Christian Church, served as the 4th ward councilman for 6 years and then the Mayor of Clay Center from 1993 through 1995. He was also a member of the B.P.O.E., Clay County Task Force on Aging, the Clay Center Leisure Club Senior Center; serving as treasurer for many years and volunteered with Friendship Meals for many years.
In addition to his wife, Valda and daughter, Iris Jean, Don was also preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings: brothers; James and Earl and sisters; Juanita, Maxine, Ruth, Irene and Mary Ellen.
He is survived by his two sons, Thomas of Midland, TX and William and wife, Jackie of Rockford, IL; grandchildren, Stacie Hatfield of Midland, TX and Angelina Carrasco of South Bend, Indiana; Jesse Hatfield of Des Moines, IA, Justin Hatfield, of Rockford, IL and Joy Olson of Rockford, IL.
Visitation will be held from 2-5 p .m. Sunday, February 27 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral home. Funeral Home chapel in Clay Center, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 28, 2022 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home Chapel in Clay Center, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Don Hatfield memorial fund to be designated later and can be sent c/o the funeral home.