Joseph Newton Hatcher of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Saturday, November 22, 2008, northeast of Newkirk, Oklahoma, at the age of 67 years.

Joseph Newton Hatcher was born on February 8, 1941, in Bel Air, Ohio, to Henry Joseph and Rachael Arizona (Byard) Hatcher. He grew up and attended school in Smithfield, West Virginia, graduating in 1962. He moved to Blackwell in 1963 and married Jerry Jean Clawson on June 19, 1965, in Blackwell and they settled in Blackwell. He then entered the United States Army serving in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1968. Following his discharge he returned to Blackwell and began working at the Acme Foundry until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the D.A.V. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Hatcher of Blackwell, Oklahoma; a son, Gerald Hatcher of Stillwater, Oklahoma; four sisters, Mary Metz and Emma Green of Ohio and Patty Quinn and Elva Flick of West Virginia; a brother, Vernon Hatcher of Smithfield, West Virginia; and two grandchildren, Brittan Hatcher of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Brooke Hatcher of Clearwater, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Francis Lee, Ernie Ray, Oscar Dale and Henry Herbert Hatcher.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 26th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tuney Ropp of McLoud, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military rites performed by the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Casketbearers will be Brandon Hatcher, Ben Hatcher, Obbie Jackson, Adam Ropp, Ralph Epperly and Paul Epperly. Honorary casketbearer will be Martin McClaflin.