SILENT KEY
The phrase “Silent Key” and its abbreviation SK refers to an amateur radio operator who is deceased.The Morse Code procedural signal ”SK” has historically been used in Morse Code messages by operators as the last signal sent from a station before ending operation. It basically means I am turning off the transmitter. Out of respect, the radio community has adopted this phrase to refer to operators who are deceased, regardless of whether they were known to have used Morse Code or in their communications. A list of Springhill’s ham operators who are deceased are listed below:
KA5FOG – Silent Key
Fonda Ruth Hatfield – KA5FOG
Shongaloo, LA
Funeral services for Mrs. Fonda Ruth Hatfield, age 75, will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel in Springhill, LA with Rev. Ed Bryan officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Shongaloo Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, LA.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 10:00 am until service time at Bailey Funeral Home.
Mrs. Hatfield was born on February 16, 1943 to Ardis Edward and Loyce Horton Lee in Mittie, LA and passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Shreveport, LA. She was a resident of this area since 1969 was a member of Mt. Paran Baptist Church and had worked for CenturyTel Telephone Company for 17 years. She also worked with the Shongaloo Water Association and was a member of the Springhill Amateur Radio Club. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jimmy P. “Jim” Hatfield; daughters, Cynthia Ann Dick and husband, Jessie of Springhill, LA; Kathy Mouser and husband, Terry Don of El Dorado, AR; grandchildren, Emily Whitten; Robert Dick; Sarah Spigiel and husband, Lenny of New Port, RI; Mandi Funderburg and husband, Derrick of Ruston, LA; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Landon and Eloise; sister, Reba Lee and husband, Danny; brother, Eddy Lee and wife, Jan all of Weldon, LA; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Hatfield was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Ricky Lee.
Pallbearers will be Merlin Arnold, David Stiles, Gary Stiles, Robert Bradshaw, Bill Sales and James Cheatham. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Bohannon, Chris Williamson, Jesse Lee and John Stanley.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Piney Needles Quilt Guild, 303 Timothy Church Rd, Springhill, LA 71075.