Robert Donica Hatzfeld, 81, of Greenwood, MS, went to be with the Lord November 10, 2015 at the Greenwood Leflore Hospital. Funeral services will be held at North Greenwood Baptist Church on Friday, November 13, 2015 with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Dr. Jim Phillips will officiate the services.
Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 23, 1934 to Margaret Donica Hatzfeld and Harold Hatzfeld. He became a Christian and a child of God at the age of 8. At the age of 14, the family moved to Aurora, Missouri. Bob attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri where he met his bride of 61 years. He surrendered to the call of full-time Christian service at the age of 18. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. There he was a member of the Bison Glee Club. He then earned a Masters of Sacred Music degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
During Bob's 52 years of ministry, he served as Minister of Music in churches in Arkansas and Mississippi. The beginning of his ministry was served at First Baptist in Springdale, AR, Baring Cross Baptist in North Little Rock, AR, and Pulaski Heights Baptist in Little Rock, AR. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in January 1979 in Aurora, Missouri. He was called to serve at North Greenwood Baptist Church in June of 1980. Bob served as Minister of Music, then as Associate Pastor until he retired in 2006. During his years in Mississippi, Bob was a member of the Mississippi Singing Churchmen, he played the trumpet in the Greenwood Community Band and was a member of the Lions Club where he served as President from 2004 to 2005.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold Hatzfeld and Margaret Hatzfeld, his older brother, Garland Philip Hatzfeld, and a granddaughter, Amy Diane McCormick.
He is survived by his wife, of 61 years, Frances Potter Hatzfeld of Greenwood, MS, a sister, Mary Alice Jones (Wayne), of Hot Springs Village, AR. and three daughters, Nancy Louise Floyd (Marty), of Waco, TX, Robin Diane McCormick (Amos) of Clinton, MS, and Kerri Lynn Smith (Jim) of Madison, MS. He also leaves six grandchildren; Amanda Floyd Mwanza (Wilson), Scott Burdette Floyd, Beth Ann McCormick, Carrie Lynn McCormick, Maggie Nicole Smith, and James Smith. He has two great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Mwanza and Everlee Mwanza.
Pallbearers will be Jim Smith, Amos McCormick, Marty Floyd, Tommy Ellett, Hal Williams, Rodney Ethridge and James Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men's Ministry Group of North Greenwood Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to the North Greenwood Baptist Church Music Department, 615 Grand Blvd. Greenwood, MS 38930.
Cleveland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The on-line guest register may be viewed and signed at
www.clevelandfuneralhome.net.