Pastor Daniel Joe "Dan" Hatfield

Daniel Joe Hatfield, age 89, peacefully went on his way Wednesday, September 18th at 10:02pm. Born August 20th, 1935 to Mark and Mildred Hatfield, Daniel entered the world as a blessing to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 daughters, Kim Edris and Jennifer Hatfield. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rosalie, his son, William Mark Hatfield, 19 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.
Daniel graduated from Belle Plaine High School and at 21, joined the Army. After serving 2 years, he managed a Sinclair gas station before finding a long-time career at Boeing, retiring after 15 years. Not one to sit on his laurels, Daniel was called to the ministry and served as the pastor of 2 churches in Natoma, Kansas. For 5 years, he shared the Gospel of Christ's love behind the pulpit and in the everyday interactions he shared with a community that loved him dearly.
It was through a chance encounter at the Belle Plaine Post Office in 1985 that Daniel would meet Rosalie, and she would become the love of his life. Together, they flourished and were married on January 18th of the next year by Daniel's best friend, Doyle Thompson. Together, they created a household of warmth and kindness where everyone was greeted with a smile, grew tired with laughter, and always had plenty of Rosalie's delicious cookies on hand.
If a sense of belonging is what every person needs, then Daniel knew how to give it in spades. His easy smile and broad laugh had a way of taking away all fear and any sense of judgment. And when there was some good-natured trouble to be had, he was often at the very center of it.
Daniel enjoyed cigars, smoking and collecting pipes, and had an extensive teddy bear collection. He was a voracious reader, a gifted speaker, and loved a good "tank battle" on the Fourth of July. He was a man of many hats and gifts, and when it came to the art of conversation, there was none better. As his wife, Rosalie often said, "He could make friends with anyone and if there was no one to talk to, he'd talk to a tree." Daniel was the kind of guy who never met a stranger and never had an enemy - he had a knack for quickly turning them into friends.
Daniel Hatfield was many things to many people - husband, father, grandpa, pastor, and friend. No matter the relation, he held a special place in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him. He knew how to make everyone feel loved and welcomed, and when you walked through his door, you knew you were home, even when your own house was miles away.
A memorial service will be held in Daniel's honor at Belle Plaine Methodist Church at 10:00am on Saturday, October 5th. A luncheon for the family will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Daniel's honor to Belle Plaine Methodist Church and the Bartlett Arboretum.