Donald L. Hatchett, 88, of Benton, IL, died at 9:21 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at West Side Care and Rehabilation Center, West Frankfort, IL. Mr. Hatchett was born on February 1, 1927, in Thompsonville, IL the son of Inman and Agnes Hatchett, He married Elaine LaVerne Shimkus in Chicago on June 13, 1959 and they were married for 55 years. Donald served in the United States Navy during World War II with a Honorable Discharge. He attended Southern Illinois University and worked in a Veterans Hospital in Waukegan, IL to help pay for his tuition. He later worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria, IL in the pricing department. He moved to Chicago and attended and graduated from the St. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing from 1956-1959. He returned to Southern Illinois and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1961 at SIU. He then worked in the St. Louis Jefferson Barracks Veterans Hospital as a Head Psychiatric Nurse of the ward. He returned to Benton to help his father with his business for 7 years. He then became a counselor for the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) in Benton, IL and retired after 20 years of service. Don was a loving and devoted father and a loving and faithful husband. He loved God with all his heart and soul and obeyed God’s laws and put God first in his life. He was compassionate and caring to his fellow man. He was an honest and humble man who was willing to help anyone in need with humility. Gold blessed him with many talents. He was witty and had a great sense of humor. He loved music and played the guitar and sang country songs. He sang barbershop in the past. He loved gardening, birds, and animals. He was a do it yourself man which involved carpentry, roofing, remodeling, etc. He diligently prayed and studied the bible frequently and had many reference books to refer and for in-depth study. Don was a member of the United Church of God and served as a local elder in Mt. Vernon before his illness. Surviving relatives include his wife Elaine Hatchett of Benton, IL, his children, Jon Hatchett and wife Becky of West Frankfort, IL, David Hatchett of Benton, IL, Daniel Hatchett and wife Frances “Fran” of Omaha, NE, Jeremy Hatchett of Redondo Beach, CA, Sister-in-law Marilyn Hatchett of Hudson, FL, Brother-in-law Richard Shimkus and wife Patricia of West Frankfort, IL, one grandchild Rachel Eckels and husband Sam of Marion, IL, and one great-grandchild Mason Hatchett of West Franklin, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons, one infant daughter, his brother Thomas Hatchett, grandson Scott Hatchett and many aunts and uncles. Don was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00p.m. February 22, 2015, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. February 23, 2015 at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Beam officiating. Military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the Navy Honors Team following services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery, Thompsonville, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of God, Cape Girardeau, MO.