Loreta B. Hatfield

Loreta Broyles Hatfield, 88, of Van Buren, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023. She was born March 25, 1934 in Alma to the late Reymus and Winnie (Steinsiek) Broyles. Loreta was an elementary school teacher in Kansas City, KS, Albuquerque, NM, and Fort Smith, retiring from the Fort Smith School District after teaching for 38 years. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Fort Smith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Hatfield.

She leaves a daughter, Angela Melkonian of Van Buren; three grandchildren, MiKayla Hatfield of Winchester, Virginia, Alex Melkonian of Van Buren, and Shae Melkonian of Penfield, Pennsylvania; two sisters and a brother, Shirley (Dan) Eichenberger of Branson, MO, Brenda Sheets of Fort Smith, and R.B. Broyles, Jr. (Pam) of Oklahoma City; three nieces, Shannon (Bruce) Waters of Van Buren, Holly (Curtis) Farmer of Woodland Park, CO, and Abby Broyles of Norman, Oklahoma; two nephews, John Eichenberger of Rogersville, MO, and Jason Broyles of Nashville, TN; a great-niece, Megan Farmer; and five great-nephews, Bryce Waters, Breckin Waters, Caleb Farmer, Isaac Eichenberger, and Hunter Eichenberger.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Newberry Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Waters, Breckin Waters, Bryce Waters, Jason Broyles, Alex Melkonian, and John Glosenger.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.