Charles B. Hatfield

Published in The Times Reporter on 8/16/2009

Charles B. Hatfield, age 85, of Waynesburg, passed away suddenly Friday evening in Aultman Hospital surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Pie, W.Va., a son of his mother and stepfather, Bess Browning Houtz and Nelson Houtz, came to Ohio and the Canton area in 1932 and Waynesburg in 1940.
Chuck was a 1942 graduate of Waynesburg High School, where he was named to the All Ohio Basketball Team in 1942.

That year he set a District Basketball Tournament record of 75 points in three games. He retired in 1987 from Whitacre-Greer Fireproofing Co., after 40 years service, where he was a Supervisor.

He was a member of Waynesburg Presbyterian Church and Sandy Valley American Legion Post #432. Chuck served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 10th Mountain Division.

He signed with the Boston Braves in 1947 and played two years with Fargo-Moorhead Baseball Club in Fargo, N.D. In 1958 he pitched a 32 inning fastpitch softball game that lasted five hours and 49 minutes, and he scored the only run to win the game. That game was included in Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1958. Chuck was honored by induction into the Stark County Softball Hall of Fame in 1981, the Stark County Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985, the Ohio Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Ohio Fast-pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Hatfield, with whom he celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on June 26; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kay Hatfield, Susie and Jeff Swinford, all of Waynesburg, and Kristi and Warren Schneider of Sandyville; three grandchildren, who were the apple of his eye, Morgan Swinford, Damon and Alivia Schneider; several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Services will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia with Dr. Bryan Hollon officiating. Interment will be in Sandy Valley Cemetery with Military Honors. Friends may call Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions in Chuck's memory may be made to Waynesburg Presbyterian Church, the Greater Canton Amateur Hall of Fame, or the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Quad Ambulance Staff, Aultman ER Staff, Dr. Galayda, and the Pallitive Care Unit.