Ray A. Hatcher, 88, of West Liberty, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was born on May 11, 1920 in Kenton, Ohio, to the late Joseph O. and Margaret (McCullough) Hatcher.

On February 15, 1948, he married Martha C. Hatcher in Kenton, Ohio, and she preceded him in death on March 4, 1997. He is also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Keith and Harold Hatcher and one sister, Mary Ann Finn.

He is survived by 3 daughters, Sherida (John) Kuhlman of Toledo, Ohio, Margaret (Omar) Jacobs of West Liberty, and Rayann (Larry) Luce of Pickerington, Ohio; 2 brothers, Paul (Jean) and John (Phyllis) Hatcher both of Kenton, Ohio; fourteen grandchildren, Kristin (Jon) Smith, Jacob (Liza) Jacobs, Jason (Edie) Jacobs, James (Shannon) Jacobs, Jessica (Chris) Mullins, James (Jenny) Ward, Jon Patrick (Lara) Kuhlman, Justin (Ashlee) Kuhlman, Andrew (Jennifer) Kuhlman, Joshua and Kathryn Johnson, Kellie (Carl) Collins and Michael and Holly Luce and fourteen great grandchildren.

Ray worked as a lino typist at the Bellefontaine Examiner for many years. He was a 1938 Kenton High School graduate and was in the Army Air Corp serving during World War II. He was a member of the New Philadelphia Lutheran Church and attended the United Church of Christ in West Liberty. He was a lifetime member of the Logan County Fish and Game, a member of the West Liberty American Legion Post #426 and the Senior Center. He was an avid card player who enjoyed fishing, genealogy and spending time with his family.

Pastor Will Stackhouse will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours are Monday, April 13, 2009 from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. Burial will be in the Grove Cemetery in Kenton, Ohio.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the West Liberty American Legion Post #426  209 West Columbus  West Liberty, OH 43357. 

The Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine handled the arrangements.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com