Arlene Hatley, lifetime Colfax resident passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics in Colfax Washington. She was 92 years old. A memorial service will be at 11 AM Tuesday at Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax.
Arlene was born October 24, 1933 in Endicott, Washington. She attended her primary grades in Colfax graduating as the Valedictorian of her class in 1951. She went on to attend beauty school in Spokane then returning to Colfax. Arlene married Robert (Bob) Gilchrist on May 8, 1955 residing out on the family farm where she enjoyed being a dedicated farm wife. Her most cherished honor was being a Mother, with the addition of her twin daughters Diane and Dorene and her son Brian. She took pride in being one of the original 4 employees when the Bank of Whitman was established in Colfax in 1977. She married Virgil Hatley on September 7, 1984 and they continued their lives in Colfax. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, and a proud member of PEO. She cherished her grandchildren and spoiled them rotten taking them on all kinds of adventures that they would never forget; from road trips to the Tulip festival, Grand Coulee Dam, camping in the motorhome and Las Vegas. All will agree their favorite memory was the swimming pool at their home and the countless hours that were spent over many summers. She loved babies,and was thrilled when the great-grandchildren started arriving.
She is survived by her children, Diane Gilchrist (Bob), of Cul-de-sac, Dorene (Mark) Hunter, Walla Walla, Brian Gilchrist,(Bev Sargentini) Lewiston; seven grandchildren, Nicole (Andy) Hetterley, College Place, Cassidy (Danny) Wynne, Pasco, Taylor (Jake) Miller, Lewiston, Stephanie Gilchrist (Shelby Kuchinski) Little Falls, Minnesota, Dillon (Whitney) McNeilly of LaCrosse, Dalton (Adrienn) McNeilly, Colfax, Dana (Devein) Thomas, Athol; 14 great-grandchildren: Lee/Anna Miller, Kennedy/Hunter Wynne, Pierce/Teagan Hetterley, Maci/Noah/Josiah/Jonah McNeilly, Delilah/Dottie/Declan McNeilly, Logan Thomas and her numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Reuben and Clara, Weitz, a nephew Blake Wood, her husband Virgil, along with her sister, Joann Wood and brother Gordon Weitz.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax, WA