Cecil Leroy Hatch, the son of Lester and Tina (Best) Hatch was born Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1927 at the farm home two miles west of Nemaha. Cecil lived his entire life on the Family Farm. He attended school in Nemaha graduating from the Delaware Township in 1946. After graduation Cecil began farming with his father.

On November 30, 1946 Cecil married his high school sweetheart Elma Jean Mason. As they continued to farm they raised their family which included four children: Kathy (Mike) Hardy of Peoria, Illinois, Barbara Van Wyhe of Rockford, Illinois, Dixie Long of Gilmore City, Iowa, and Rick (Cyndi) Hatch of Early, Iowa.

Cecil enjoyed being on the farm, and sitting outside looking down the hill toward Nemaha. He loved his eight grandchildren equally as well as the seven great-grandchildren he was blessed with.

Cecil was always a quiet man and in May of 1989 he suffered a stroke. From that time on he was unable to speak, but expressed to everyone what his needs were. Elma especially understood everything and tended to all his needs through the years. He enjoyed helping his son Rick with his pig operation until he broke his hip in 2001. Thus ending his farming days.

Cecil passed away at Park View Manor on August 31, 2006 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Elma, son-in-law Mike Hardy, daughters Barbara and Dixie, son Rick and wife Cyndi, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Tina, daughter Kathy, brother Elwood, and sister Stella.

Interment will be at the Delaware Township Cemetery, Nemaha, Iowa, on Monday, September 4, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Nemaha Methodist Church. Reverend Carl Benge will officiate with special music provided by Russ Davis, soloist, and Dave Cook, organist. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation prior to Cecil’s interment.