Anthony Hatke

Tony Hatke of Lafayette passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Born March 25, 1928, in Lafayette, he was the son of Edward P. Hatke and Gertrude E. Hatke. Tony graduated from St. Boniface Grade School and Wea High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He also attended Indiana Business College and Purdue University. From October 1950 to October 1952, Tony was a 1st Sergeant in the 179th Infantry during the Korean War. After the war, Tony worked for 33 years in marketing for the Vernon Company of Newton, Iowa.
Tony was a life-long member of St. Boniface Parish and had a strong devotion to his namesake, St. Anthony. He would often say, "St. Anthony never let me down." Tony was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he and his brother, Jerry, often fried fish on Friday nights. Tony was a member of the American Legion and was a ticket taker for over 25 years at the Purdue football gamesa�"Gate H for "Hatke," as he would often say. Tony was also active in the Lafayette Catholic Schools, where his children and grandchildren attended. In 1975, he and Phys. Ed. teacher Pat Baker organized the first girls' basketball team at Central Catholic.
Tony had many hobbies including golf, fishing, hunting, gardening, and woodworking. He loved doing anything outdoors, particularly cutting and stacking wood for his stove, and keeping his home and property in tip-top shape. He loved to entertain and had numerous cookouts and Halloween parties for friends and family at his home along Wildcat Creek. Tony's children and grandchildren were very important to him.
Tony and his former wife, Marjorie Catron Jackson, are the parents of five children: Linda (Rich) Bliton of Greensboro, NC, Trudy (Mike) Roe of West Lafayette, Kathleen (John) Aro of Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Anita (Alex) Keddie of Carmel, IN, and Timothy (partner Dan Conley) of South Portland, Maine. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Ryan Bliton, Reilly Bliton, Jarrett Bliton, Patrick (Alexa) Roe, Jenna Roe, Pierce Roe, Glen Aro, Michael Aro, Elaine Aro, and Vladic Keddie. Tony was preceded in death by his brother Verne and sister Mary Agnes Spitznagle. Also surviving are two brothers, Vincent Hatke of Lafayette, IN; Gerald Hatke (wife Kathy) of Munising, MI; and by two sisters, Dorothy Pritchard of Tyler, TX and Theresa Haan (husband John) of Lafayette, IN.
Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette from 5 until 8 PM Monday, with the Rosary Service at 4:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church 10:00 AM Tuesday, Fr. Tim Alkire officiating. The interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery with American Legion Post 11 military rites. Donations may be made to St. Boniface Parish or the Alzheimer's Association. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.