Roderick “Rod” Wendell Hathaway, 83 of Bronson passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021 while riding his ATV back from the daily “Breakfast Club” meeting at Chubby’s in Orland.
A private funeral will be webcast on the Dutcher Funeral Home website for Rod at 11:00 am Friday, February 12, 2021 with Pastor Terry Siler officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Roderick was born August 30, 1937 to Wendell and Agnes (Oddi) Hathaway in Kalamazoo. He was a Bronson High School graduate, class of 1955. Shortly after graduation, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He married Janet Davis July 19, 1958.
Rod was a very motivated and hardworking man. He started with the Hathaway Agency after leaving the Army, later working at Federal Mogul until it closed. He then began a successful real estate career working for Henderson Reality and then Heritage Reality where he was an active owner. Rod also owned and operated Mr. Auction for many years and spent time doing farming work on the family farm in Bronson.
Rod was a man of many interests. He served as a Bethel Township Trustee for 40+ years. Rod enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially going fishing at Kennedy Cabins on Lake 13 in Sidnaw with his grandson Zachary. He was a UKC Beagle Champion competing in many beagle competitions. Rod was an avid reader of world history, especially books on WWI and WWII and was very gifted in working with mathematical numbers.
His true joy in life was being with his family, especially his grandchildren. Rod made it a priority in his life to not miss any of the sporting, horse shows or 4H events of his children and then the same with all the programs, sports or events of his grandchildren. He enjoyed participating and winning in the tractor pulls at the BC 4-H Fair. Rod loved to win, and was extremely proud of his accomplishments, but even more so those of his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Rod is survived by the love of his life, Janet Hathaway of Coldwater; his children Rod (Amy) Hathaway of Wayland, Stacy (Randy) Herman of Bronson, and TJ (Joanna) Hathaway of Bronson; his sisters Marilyn Kurtz of Bronson and Phyllis (Brad) Sawley of Ogden, UT; his grandchildren Roderick “Zachary” (Savannah) Hathaway, Ty (Katie) Hathaway, Amy (Dan) Albanese, Jessica (Aaron) Hollister, Trent (Cara) Herman who are expecting twin sons soon, Katie (Dustin Orns) Herman, Aden Hathaway, and Ava Hathaway; five great grandchildren; his good friends Keith (Connie) Dykman and the Chubby’s Breakfast Club and staff whose friendship meant more to him than they’ll ever know.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Ronald Kurtz.
Memorials may be directed to the Bronson Athletic Boosters. www.dutcherfh.com
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