John W. Hatcher

John W. Hatcher, 71, of Vermilion, died June 23, 2010 at his home after a lengthy illness. Mr. Hatcher was born March 12, 1939 in Harold, Kentucky, where he lived until he graduated from Betsy Layne High School in 1957. He moved to Lorain the night he graduated and went to work at what was then called US Steel where he received his Plumber/Pipefitter Apprenticeship. In February of 1974, John became an employee of Ford Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake and a member of UAW 2000, where he held many union offices, including chairman and President. In 1974, John became active with the Lorain County UAW-CAP Council, which led to his involvement with the Democratic Party. John retired from Ohio Assembly plant after 29 years on January 1, 2003. John had lent his support to the principles of the Democratic Party and had worked diligently for local, state, and federal candidates throughout his 35 years in UAW-CAP. His dedication to the Democratic Party can be attributed to its affiliation with working people, middle class, and union labor in general. Over the years, both the Democratic Party and campaigning for his favorite political candidates have been John's passion. On any given day during the election season, John would be putting up signs and passing out literature for the candidates, speaking at countless campaign fundraisers and making countless calls. John was a member of the Sate General Board and has served as Co-Chairman of the Lorain County Labor's Day Celebrating, which is held annually on the Sunday before Labor Day. He had worked closely with the AFL-CIO and other Labor organizations to gather donations from private individuals and local businesses, preparing ads for the celebration's program book, helping to set the celebration up, working at the celebration, and tearing it all down each year. When John was not tirelessly working to promote the Democratic Party, he enjoyed traveling abroad, and spending time in Las Vegas at the casinos. John's love and admiration for the Democratic Party, its platform, and causes came in second only to the love for his beautiful wife of 26 years, Carol (nee Chasar) Hatcher, daughters, Beverly (Mike) Breen of Vermilion; Debbie (Eric) Wishon of Columbus; Tammy (Alan) Klekota of Amherst; Valerie Chasar of Vermilion; sons, David (Janet) of Vermilion; Shawn (Nicole) Hamilton of Louisville, KY; thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and sisters, Nancy (Dan) Fly of Amherst and Judy (Ken) Sheriff of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Gladys (nee King) Hatcher, brother Bernie, grandparents, Dave and Elizabeth Hatcher and John and Clara King. Friends may call Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 1-4 and 6-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home 5345 South Street Vermilion, OH 44089. Funeral services will be held at 11 am at the funeral home on Monday, June 28,2010 with Jim Slone officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermilion Veterans Council Flag donation program c/o Fifth Third Bank P.O. Box 356, 5541 Liberty Ave. Vermilion, OH 44089. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com