Thoughts from three editors of the West Branch Times on Sandy Hatfield, who spent a combined 18 years as a council member and mayor, and 20 years as the activity director at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center.


She died Feb. 7 at age 59.



Jake Krob, editor from 2001-2005, and co-publisher:

For me, Sandy Hatfield will forever be the “grandmother” of West Branch.

She cared so much about the community that sometimes it probably hurt her. She led by nurturing. She treated decisions gently. She served with a kind heart.

Since Day One of owning the paper, we’ve had a relationship with Sandy. After all, she played a key role in city government and beyond. At times we disagreed – she didn’t like our particular coverage or we didn’t like a particular city decision.

But never – I repeat, never – did Sandy hold a grudge over such issues.

She understood the role we play.

The last time I saw Sandy, she gave me a hug. She did that a lot for the entire town of West Branch. A grandmother indeed.



Rob Poggenklass, editor from 2005-2007.

If I had one word to sum up Sandy Hatfield, it would be “involved.”

Sandy never turned down an opportunity to serve her favorite community, West Branch, in the best way she knew how. From day one, she supported our Main Street effort, a project that got many more members of the community involved, and the City of West Branch is better positioned because of it.

Sandy consistently put her own reputation on the line when she believed that an unpopular decision would be best for the city. That’s not a risk most people are willing to take, and I admired her for it.

Sandy won’t be remembered as the most popular mayor of West Branch, but I believe she’d be OK with that. She should be remembered as a decent human being who got involved in all things West Branch, and faithfully served the community she loved.



Gregory R. Norfleet, editor from 2007 to the present:

Waiting for funeral services to begin for Sandy Hatfield, I noticed one of the funeral directors placing tissue boxes on chairs in the family section. I couldn’t help but think that if there were tissue and furniture makers in this city, Sandy would have wanted their products at her funeral.

Not just because she believed in “buying local,” but because she believed in showing what people in West Branch can do so well.

She was the proud-parent type who talked up her children when any opportunity arose, and often used the comment portion of a city council meeting to congratulate individuals, sports teams, businesses and organizations for their successes.

She could also give someone a stern scolding if necessary, but would make every effort to do so privately.

Listening to friends speak at her funeral, that same philosophy must have permeated her personal and family life as well.