Jackie Hatch

Jackie Hatch, 86, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Friday St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct., St. Joseph with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of SW Michigan or the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Those wishing to sign Jackie's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”. This quote from Rebecca, one of the numerous books LaVonne (Jackie) Hatch devoured and treasured throughout her lifetime. In spite of a very poor childhood including a parental divorce and desertion by her father, Jackie went on to live an exemplary life of service to her family, friends and strangers. Whether it was feral cats in the basement, homeless people living on the porch, draft dodgers in the attic, strangers in for dinner or just giving rides to homeless people, she never met a soul she couldn't connect with. She was raised by a single mother, Bertha Dumdei/Remus Kerhoulas during the Depression era. Jackie and her mother were shuttled from home to home, state to state, living with the help and kindness of relatives. After graduation from St. Joseph High School in 1942 she worked for the People's State Bank. In 1947 she married Robert Hatch of St. Joseph and they purchased a home on State Street where they lived ever since. She raised four children, a husband, numerous pets, and a few neighborhood children. Unable to have the opportunity to attend college (which was her biggest regret), she become an avid reader. She was an autodidact who devoured everything from the classics, to psychology to cooking. She could speak intelligently on any subject from politics, to interior design, to religion, to medical issues and medicine, positive thinking and parenting. She could discuss the state of the world with anyone. People who would converse with her would inevitably ask where she attained her degrees. One of her greatest gifts was her wonderful sense of humor and amazingly quick wit. She never left a room without a humorous comment or a remark that would cause someone to smile or laugh. She instilled her passion for the least fortunate among us; and we are much better for it. She fell at home where she broke her hip, her femur and crushed her pelvis. While in the hospital she suffered both a stroke and a heart attack. The Spiritual Quest she began in childhood continued throughout her years as a long time member of the First United Methodist Church. She attended Bible Study at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. The slight upturned smile on her face as her spirit passed gently into that good night gave us to believe that she caught a glimpse of Heaven. She was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Dumdei Kerloulas, her stepfather, Peter M. Kerhoulas. She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Robert Hatch. Her children, Tammy, Kim (Scott) Hill, Lisa and Steve Hatch all reside in St. Joe. Her granddaughter Brittany Hill lives in Niles and her grandson Drew Hill lives in Madison, Wi. She is also survived by a very special friend, who has been invaluable to us all, Martha Norris. We are so much better for having her in our lives. We Love you, miss you, and your spirit lives on.