Jerry Hatley

HAYTI, Mo. -- Jerry Gene Hatley passed away Friday, June 28, 2019, at Heritage Nursing Center in Kennett, Missouri, at age 76 years, 9 months and 17 days.

He was born Sept. 11, 1942, in Corning, Arkansas, to Milford E. and Della Mae Ware Hatley.

Jerry was a loving father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a blessing to everyone who knew him.

He served as an educator and school administrator for more than 40 years, 27 of those in the Cooter R-4 School District in Cooter, Missouri.

Jerry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hayti and of The Gideons International.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, a brother, Ron (Donna) Hatley; sons, Anthony (Patricia) Matthews of Blue Ridge, Texas, and Robert (Sabine) Matthews of Bonn, Germany; daughter, Stephanie Diane Hatley of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Ercan (Sabina) Matthews Yardim of Andernach, Germany, Kody and Heather Matthews Johnson of San Tan Valley, Arizona, Clayton and Samantha Matthews Norton of Wolfe City, Texas, Zachary and Katelynn Watkins of Hayti, Pierce Anthony Watkins of Hayti, Steven and Hannah Matthews Wroblewski of Andernach, Heath and Ashleigh Matthews Hoelscher of Blue Ridge and Sophie Matthews of Bonn; great-grandchildren, Addilyn Johnson of San Tan Valley, Levi and Clayton "Tripp" Norton of Wolfe City, Mila Linda Wroblewski of Andernach and Merit Hoelscher of Blue Ridge; sister-in-law, Susan Hatley of Cape Girardeau; and a host of other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford and Della Mae Hatley; twin brother, Jackie Dean Hatley; and nephew, Payton Andrew Hatley.

A funeral was held Monday at John W. German Funeral Home in Hayti, with Ron Hatley officiating. Burial was in New Madrid County Mounds Park Cemetery in New Madrid, Missouri. Pallbearers were John Miskell, Wiley and Bobby Watkins, Jeremy Harrison, Charlie Jones and Bobby Mott. Honorary pallbearers were The Gideons International.