Jim Hatch

Jim Hatch, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, August 14, 2008, at the Park Place Long TermCare Unit. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2008, beginning at 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 18, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jeff McPheron officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to Trenton Methodist Church and Hospice of Central Iowa. The son of Walter and Ann Scott Hatch, James Walter, was born April 27, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant, IA. He attended and graduated from the Mt. Pleasant Schools. On December 26, 1951, he married Wanda Rich in Mt. Pleasant. She survives. In January of 1952, Jim joined the United States Army. He served in the Korean Conflict and was discharged in October of 1953 holding the rank of Corporal. After being discharged from the Army, Jim returned to the Mt. Pleasant area. For 28 years, he was employed by Henry County as a truck driver until he retired from that position in 1981. He also farmed north of Mt. Pleasant from 1966 until the time of his death. Jim attended Trenton Methodist Church and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post 58 for 53 years. In earlier years he drove race cars and later became an avid fan of Nascar racing. Jim loved to travel and spending time on his farm. Along with his wife, Wanda, Jim is survived by one son, Randy James Hatch of Norwalk, IA. He is also survived by two sisters, Virginia Mason of Winfield, IA and Martha Queen of Keokuk, IA; one brother, Everett Hatch of Burlington, IA; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Hatch was preceded in death by his parents.