Ivan Hatler passed away on Mar. 23, 2026. Ivan was born on April 14th, 1941, in Konawa, OK, to Ivan Loyce Hatler and Alice Marie (Duffield) Hatler. He graduated from Macomb High School. A proud veteran, Ivan served his country in the United States Army, with a memorable station in Germany. Upon his return, he married Joleen Hunt.
He began his career with the City of Shawnee in the Sanitation Department but soon found his calling in the Fire Department. His dedication and leadership saw him rise through the ranks, eventually retiring as the Battalion Chief. His passion for firefighting extended beyond his own service; he received his Fire Service Training from Oklahoma State University and went on to become an instructor, training volunteer firefighters across central Oklahoma.
Ivan is preceded in death by his parents and numerous other relatives.
Those left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are his wife; sister, Glenda (Hatler) Branson; brother, Tony Hatler; oldest son, Louie Hatler, and his wife, Crystal, along with their children, Josh and his wife Jessie, Holly, and Jenna Hatler; and youngest son, Torrey Hatler, and his children, Michael Hatler and Ariel (Hatler) Howeth. He was also a proud great-grandfather to: Hunter and Kayla Hatler, Danielle and Skylynn Hatler, and Lexie, Hoyt, and Stryker Howeth; as well as step-grandchildren: Kaleb McCullough and Autumn Burk.
Visitation will be from 9 am to 8 pm, Mar. 26, and continue through service time with family gathering from 6 to 8 pm to greet friends and family at Cooper Funeral Home. Service will be 2 pm, Mar. 27, at Tecumseh Highland Church of Christ with Erick Henson officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
