Larry W. Hatfield

Larry Wayne Hatfield, 82, of Jacksonville passed away Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Alice and T. O'Neal Douglas Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville following an extended illness.

Larry was born to Myrtle and Finley Hatfield in Lynch, Kentucky. He loved growing up in the mountains learning to hunt and fish with his dad. As a young boy he had already met the love of his life, Margaret Creech. After marrying his childhood sweetheart, together they moved to Indiana where he worked at Midwest Steel as a millwright. He worked in the steel production industry for 37 years, retiring in 2002. At that time, he and Margaret moved to The Villages in Florida.

His first love was his family, who brought so much joy to his life. His wife, children, grandkids and those precious great-grand babies made him so happy. His second love was definitely golf (all sports, really, but especially golf). He was so fortunate to be able to enjoy years of golfing, traveling, cruising – just doing all the things he loved. The Lord was a big part of his life and he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Leesburg, Florida.

Besides his parents; he was preceded in death by a special cousin who was more like a brother, Jack Schubert; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Claude and Barbara Creech; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Annie and Sam Lovett.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Jane Hatfield of Jacksonville; two daughters, Anita Zoll (Tom O'Hare) of Stevensville, Michigan, and Renee (David) Page of Jacksonville; four grandchildren, Nathan (Jessica) Page, Jacob (Kymberly) Zoll, Cody (Alison) Zoll and Keegan (Katie) Zoll; and three great-grandchildren, Rubi Zoll, Emmett Zoll and Beckett Zoll, whom he adored. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Madelyn (Charles) Parker; and two brothers-in-law, Hovey (Pat) Creech and John R. (Joanne) Creech (Larry never thought of them as in-laws; they were truly his brothers and sister); his very special cousins, Jan Schubert and Bill and Norma Jean Schubert; old friend, Pat Zoll; and so many special friends whom he truly loved. His puppy Charlie will miss him so much.

A private viewing will be held for family only. A Celebration of Life will take place in La Porte, Indiana, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (checks and money orders only) ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or online at stjude.org/give or to First Baptist Church of Leesburg (checks payable to FBC Leesburg), 220 N. 13th St., Leesburg, FL, 34748, or online at firstleesburg.org/give.

Messages of encouragement or sympathy may be shared on Larry's online tribute page at www.themasters funeralhome.com.

Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.