Janet Kay Hathaway, 79, of Coldwater passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2021 at Dutcher Funeral Home of Bronson with Pastor Terry Siler of the First Congregational Church of Bronson officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home of Bronson. Following services, Janet will be cremated and buried at Snow Prairie Cemetery at a later date.
Janet was born June 9, 1941 to Hughey and Marjorie (Buck) Davis in Orland, IN. She received her education at the historical “Butcher School” in Bethel Township and was a member of the Bronson High School Class of 1958. On July 19, 1959 she married the love of her life, Roderick Hathaway at the Methodist Church in Sturgis. They divorced in 2013 but remained close friends. They had two sons, Rod and TJ, and one daughter Stacy.
Janet always accommodated her children. She stayed home providing childcare until the youngest child was old enough to start school. Janet worked various jobs that gave her the flexibility to be available to her family. Her employment included being a paraprofessional at the Bronson Community Schools, nine years at Acorn Manufacturing, and nine years at G & W Display, from where she retired in 2002.
After retiring, Janet volunteered at Pines Behavioral Health in the Senior Respite program, where she was later hired as a part-time employee. She had a special place in her heart for the elderly who were battling dementia or related cognitive diseases. Janet also spent many hours volunteering at Almost Like Home adult foster care home.
Janet will be fondly remembered sitting in her chair outside her garage, waving and smiling to her neighbors. She liked her community at Park West Condominiums. Janet was a people person, enjoying visits even if it was a short outside talk or getting together for coffee and/or wine. What she cherished the most was her family. If she wasn’t preparing a feast, she was transporting grandchildren to their extra-curricular activities.
Janet was one of the biggest fans when it came to her children and grandchildren. She attempted to make every school, 4-H, FFA, and sporting event. Usually by the end of the season, Janet would have extended grandchildren that she loved to cheer for. She will be greatly missed by many.
Janet is survived by her children Rod (Amy) Hathaway of Wayland, Stacy (Randy) Herman of Bronson, and TJ (Joanna) Hathaway of Bronson; her 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; her great grandchildren Hunter Hollister, Connor Hollister, Paislee Chadwick, Brogan Chadwick, and Harrison “Harry” Hathaway; her brother Don (Carlene) Davis of Lansing; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Perry (Donna) Davis; her sister Bertha (Bill) Bercaw; and her former husband Roderick “Rod” Hathaway.
Memorials may be directed to the Branch County Fair, 262 S. Sprague St., Coldwater, MI 49036 or Bronson Athletic Boosters, 501 E. Chicago St., Bronson, MI 49028. www.dutcherhf.com
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