Lathe Edward Bradfield passed away at St. John’s hospital on Sunday, May 22, 2011 during the tornado that swept through Joplin. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was an avid fisherman in his youth and enjoyed all animals and children. He was Uncle Lathe to many and a stranger to none. He would often greet people with “hello friend”, and he meant it.
He was proud of his service in the Army during WWII and was honorably discharged on December 25, 1946. He was injured in the war and received a purple heart.
He was a life-long member of the Teamster’s Union and the Disabled American Veterans. He also belonged to the American Legion and the Veteran of Foreign War Organizations.
He married Florence Ellen Clifton in Columbus, Kansas on June 24, 1947. Lathe and Florence raised a family of two daughters and one son. They lived, laughed and cried together for 64 years.
Lathe worked as an auto mechanic all of his life. He spent a number of years at the old 408 Cab Company, at Joplin Police Station and he retired from Fleming Foods where he worked as their head mechanic for a number of years. He was sent to Indiana to a technical institute on repairing Thermo King units. He worked every day of his life and then would often come home and work on cars or build on his home. He would offer his help to anyone that needed it.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Ellen Clifton Bradfield; his daughter, Sharon Bradfield of the home, his daughter, Karen Bradfield and Ernie Blackford; his son Steven Bradfield and daughter-in-law Shelley Bradfield; his two grandchildren, Samantha Bradfield and Cole Bradfield, who were his pride and joy. We miss him dearly every day.
Lathe was the oldest of six brothers and two sisters. All survive him; Leroy and Earleen Bradfield, James and Joanne Burtrum, Bill and Mary Burtrum, Ray and Jolene Burtrum, Rex Burtrum, John Burtrum, Etta Morgan and Mary and Pauly Hembree, Cecil Weber, a cousin who grew up with Lathe and was always regarded as a brother.
Lathe Edward Bradfield’s funeral will be held at Parker Mortuary, 1502 S. Joplin Street, at 11:00am, Saturday, with Minister Doug Wilkerson officiating. Graveside with military honors will be at approximately 12:00 pm at Fairview Cemetery. There will be a gathering of friends and family to follow at Karen Bradfield and Ernie Blackford’s home at 3125 N. Lone Elm Avenue, located directly across the street from Lathe’s home.
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