02/11/2026
Mrs. Bonita was one of our founding board members of the museum. She’s left such a legacy. Praying for the Hatfield family.
Bonita Mattingly Hatfield, 82, of Marion, KY passed away on February 9, 2026, at Home Place of Henderson, due to complications of Dementia.
Bonita was a 1961 graduate of Henderson County High School. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1965. She, along with her husband, James T. Hatfield, moved back to Marion as he returned home to continue his career as a pharmacist and her as an educator. For the next 26 years she would invest in the students of Crittenden County, where she mainly taught Earth Science in the Crittenden County Middle School.
During her lifetime, Bonita Hatfield served on numerous boards and committees, as well as professional and civic organizations. Most notably, Bonita served on the Board of Directors at Madisonville Community College. In addition, she and her husband created The Hatfield Endowment at Madisonville Community College, a resource for area students to receive scholarship opportunities to pursue higher education. Bonita was a strong advocate of higher education and opportunities for the students of Crittenden County. She was also a resource educational specialist for Gear Up and Soar program of Western Kentucky. She served on the inaugural board of The Clement Museum; a world-renowned collection of Fluorspar located in Marion. Additionally, she served on Crittenden Chamber of Commerce, Crittenden County Drug Coalition, Fohs Hall Board of Directors, Marion Women’s Club, Crittenden County Elder Abuse and The Crittenden County Schools Nominating Committee for Distinguished Alumni.
Bonita cherished her church, The United Methodist Church of Marion. She taught Sunday School for several years to high school and young adults there. She was most honored when she was chosen to lead a new 3’C’s Sunday school class consisting of students College, Career, and Couples at the church. In her spare time Bonita loved outdoors and landscaping around her home. She was an avid golfer. She played many rounds and tournaments at her home course in Marion. She aced not one but two hole-in-ones in her lifetime at Marion Country Club on two different holes.
Mrs. Hatfield was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, James T. “Jim” Hatfield (2011); son, James Carl Hatfield (2023); parents, Carl and Carol Likens Mattingly and sisters, Sue Heppler, and Nancy Phillips.
She is survived by her son, Jason Hatfield and two grandchildren, Jaxon and Hattie Hatfield of Marion, KY.
Friends may call at Gilbert Funeral Home, Marion, KY, on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2 p.m. with Charles Cook officiating at Marion Methodist Church. Visitation will also be held prior to service starting at 12:30 p.m. at Marion Methodist Church in Marion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the James and Bonita Hatfield Family Endowment for Crittenden County Students to attend Madisonville Community College. Memorials should be made to Madisonville Community College with the memo: “Hatfield Endowment” in care of MCC Advancement, 2000 College Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431.
Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
