obit-thumbnail

Thelma Jean Hatke

August 16, 1943 - September 2, 2026
Visitation
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Saturday 9/5, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Service
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Saturday 9/5, 11:00 am
Cemetery
Yorktown Cemetery
US 28 & 700 E
Stockwell, Indiana 47983
Saturday 9/5

In loving memory

Thelma “Jean” Hatke passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

She was born on August 16, 1943, in Lafayette Indiana to her parents Francis and Evelyn (Brown) Peterson.  Jean grew up with her family on the old Purdue Horticulture Farm on Sharon Chapel Road. She was a Central Catholic graduate.

Jean married her husband Richard Lee Hatke on February 17, 1962.  Dick and Jean owned and operated a small-town grocery store in Stockwell Indiana for 28 years. After an unfortunate fire ravaged their store, they retired to their home on Raccoon Lake where they spent their later years enjoying life on the lake.

Surviving are her daughter Karen Laffoon (Brian) Martin, Daughter-in-law Donna Hatke. Grandsons; Anthony (Danielle) Laffoon, Timothy (Haley) Coyle, Justin Coyle, Aaron Bahus, Maxwell (LeAnn) Hatke. Granddaughters; Bethany Laffoon & Hannah (Grant) Miller. Sisters; Teresa (Robert) Sears & Roselyn (John) Brown.

Brother; Phillip (Lois) Peterson. She had 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lee Hatke, son Keith Alan Hatke, brothers James Peterson and Fran Peterson and Sister-in-law Patricia (James) Peterson.

A visitation at Sollar-Baker Chapel, Twyckenham Blvd in Lafayette, is planned for Saturday, September 5th at 10:00 with service following at 11:00.  Internment to follow at Yorktown Cemetery, Stockwell Indiana.

candle-small flame
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.
candle-small flame
Amanda Le Loup
candle-small flame
Jerry Rich Light a candle
Light a Candle

Visitation
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Map
Saturday 9/5, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Service
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Map
Saturday 9/5, 11:00 am
Cemetery
Yorktown Cemetery
US 28 & 700 E
Stockwell, Indiana 47983
Map
Saturday 9/5

In loving memory Thelma “Jean” Hatke passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. She was born on August 16, 1943, in Lafayette Indiana to her parents Francis and Evelyn (Brown) Peterson.  Jean grew up with her family on the old Purdue Horticulture Farm on Sharon Chapel Road. She was a Central Catholic graduate. Jean married herContinue Reading

See Condolences
Amanda Le Loup left a message on September 4, 2026:
I knew Jean for more than 3 months, as her caregiver, but she became my friend. She talked about apple thieves, and gave advice that would stick with me for a long time. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
WILLIAM left a message on September 4, 2026:
What a sweet lady I use to ride my bike past stockwell and always stopped at the store to flirt with her and grab my ice cream bar One time i did not have any money on me and she gave me my ice cream and goodies Will never forget that RIP TJH
Jerry Rich left a message on September 4, 2026:
So sorry from one of the Clark's Hill kids 😢
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More