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In Memory

Ernie Hatton - Class Of 1965

OBITUARY INFORMATION AND PICTURES PROVIDED BY SONS MIKE (1998) AND PATRICK HATTON:

Ernest Hatton II Ernie Hatton
January 13, 1946 to October 27, 2022

On Thursday October 27, Ernest "Ernie" aka "Big Ernie" Hatton, beloved father of 4 sons, passed away at the age of 76 in Austin, TX.

Ernie was born in Germany when his father, Earnest, an American G.I., and his mother, Jadwiga, a Holocaust survivor, met at the end of World War II.

Ernie and his parents moved to the family farm near Vincennes, Indiana when he was a young child and moved north to Hobart shortly after where he was raised. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1964 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Ernie served as a Gunner's Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class on the U.S.S. Wasp from 1964-1968. While there he assisted with recovering returned U.S. Space Program missions Gemini IX, IX, and XII, which was Buzz Aldrin's first successful space walk. He was an excellent shot and was the go-to for refueling during hurricanes. His ship was stationed in Boston, MA where he met and married Ellen [Griffin].

He would return to Hobart, Indiana to get a job in the apprenticeship program at U.S. Steel and worked as a millwright from 1969 to 1980.

In 1981 he went into business with Ellen opening E&E Jewelry. Ernie was a self trained Master Jeweler with a certificate in Gemology from Purdue University. E&E would remain in business for over 25 years and their clients included country music star Conway Twitty and Peavey Guitars.

Ernie was an avid fisherman and sportsman. He also loved watching movies and television. He was always good for a joke and was the life of the party.

Ernie now joins his departed son, John and is survived by his sons Ernest III, Patrick, and Michael, his grandchildren Lauren, Rachel, Sarah, Griffin, Lola, Mary, Remy, and Patrick and his sisters Christine (Gyure) and Barbara (Tingley).

This infomation and pictures are used with permission of Mike and Patrick. These were originally posted on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/321611974582476.

Ernie Hatton with his granddaughter Remy (Patrick Hatton's daughter)
    Ernie Hatton with his graddaughter Remy (Patrick's daughter)