CHATFIELD, JOHN J.

FOUNTAIN – A shadow of sadness cast a gloom over the community when a message came Thursday to Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Chatfield of the death [July 4, 1943] of their son, Pfc. John J. Chatfield.

Pfc. Chatfield enlisted in the Marines in January, 1941, in Grand Rapids. Following examination he was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina, Jan. 26, where he received basic training for three months, then he left for Portsmouth, N.H., to the Navy Yards, where he served on guard duty, until December, 1942. As a member of the First Marine Raider Regt., 4th Bn., Co. O, he was transferred to Oceanside, Calif., and left in March for overseas duty. The last letters received by his parents came in May, 1943.

Pfc. Chatfield was born in the village of Fountain Sept. 24, 1921, and when a small boy moved with his parents to Muskegon, where they lived for a few years and returned to the farm in the Mill district where he was a pupil through the grades, taking freshman and sophomore years in the Fountain school and graduated with the class of 1940 of the Custer High School.

“Jack” as he was known by his many friends, was a jovial, happy young man, who made friends easily and was well thought of by everyone who knew him.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Chatfield, two sisters, Miss Charlotte Chatfield at home, Mrs. Dorothy Ruschkivsz of Muskegon, and one brother, Harlan Chatfield of the Mills district, five nieces and nephews and many other relatives.

Friends in this community extend their deepest sympathy to the Chatfield family in their great sorrow.