July 27, 1959 – December 17, 2023
Rick D. Hatfield, 64, of Mitchell, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
Born July 27, 1959, in Lawrence Co., he was the son of James Clark and Dorothy Fern (Cummings) Hatfield. He married Gala Conley, and she survives. Rick was a simplistic man who had old-school values. He was an avid outdoorsman, teaching his daughter and grandchildren many things throughout his years, such as fishing, hunting, baiting, and tracking. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family. He took his wife on many adventures in their 44 years together (42 years of marriage). He devoted
himself to building a life for his family.
Throughout his years, Rick worked for the railroad, traveling the world. He had a sense of adventure. Later in life, he was a painting and construction laborer, and in his spare time, he worked clearing land and building the permanent Hatfield home on Kingsridge. Many who got to know him over the years would tell you that while he was a simplistic man who did not favor modern change, he had a way of bringing a
smile to your face with his many sayings… God knows that’s right!!! He was always up to date with the latest news and perceived it as a challenge to call the weather. He would often tell me he was #hashtag# sick and damn tired of it. At the end of the day, he enjoyed his country life, sitting at the picnic table with his dog, Rusty, enjoying a cold beer and being one with nature.
Until we see you again, wiggle, wiggle, fat boy.
Survivors include his wife, Gala, of Mitchell; a daughter, Kristle Tipton and husband, Kenneth, of Bedford; two grandchildren, Synia Kopp, of Tyler, TX, and J.D. Kopp, of Bloomington; two sisters, Darnelle Holsapple, of Williams, and Jill Hatfield, of Bedford; a brother, Gregory Scott Hatfield, of Mitchell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Darlene May and Jo Ellen Stevens.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22nd, at Crawford Cemetery, with Pastor Reno Bates officiating. After the service, dinner will be served immediately at Momentum Community Church in Bedford. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Day &
Carter Mortuary.
Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.
