Murl Dean Hatfield

Murl Dean Hatfield, 86, of Exline, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or in Murl’s name to be used for a community project (checks made payable to Marjorie Hatfield).

Murl, the son of Jasper and LaVivian (McFarland) Hatfield, was born Aug. 3, 1934, on the Hatfield family farm east of Exline. He grew up in rural Exline and graduated from high school at Cincinnati High School in 1952. On Oct. 10, 1954, Murl was united in marriage with Marjorie Berry in Centerville after meeting eyes at church, a 40-day courtship and true love for 66 years. They made their home at times in Newton and Ewart prior to returning to rural Exline, buying his boyhood farm in 1991. Murl worked for the Maytag Company for 36 years, retiring in 1990. Even after his official “retirement,” he always kept busy with many other jobs and tasks.

Murl was a ham radio operator and a member of the National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL). He enjoyed rebuilding tractors, astronomy and playing harmonica. Murl was an innovator of renewable energy. He was a proud descendant of the Hatfield and McCoys and found joy in telling the story of the rivalry. Murl and Marjorie loved spending time with their grandkids and especially enjoyed their sharing trips to Mt. Pleasant to the Old Threshers with family.

Murl is survived by his wife, Marjorie Hatfield of Newton; three children, Richard (JoJo) Hatfield of Los Gatos, Calif., Donald Hatfield (Hannah Zhang) of Fulton, Md., and Barbara Chaudhary of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; 13 grandchildren, Shawn, Heather, Ara, Lanna, Dawn, Misty, Shanon, Taylor, Austin, Violet, Sidney, Jana and Lyla; 24 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Dean Hatfield; grandson, Michael Dean Murray; his brothers, Kenneth and Lester Hatfield; and sisters, Vera Regnier, Ethel Henderson and Olive Hatfield.