Michael Bates Hathaway

Michael B. Hathaway, 87, died October 30, 2025, in Florence, South Carolina. Mike was born in Davenport, Iowa, on December 27, 1937, to Irene Elizabeth (Bates) Hathaway and John Lewman Hathaway. He had one older brother, John Samuel, who predeceased him in death.

Mike’s family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he attended kindergarten and then the family moved to West Des Moines. He completed his public education in West Des Moines graduating from Valley High School in 1956. There he met the love of his life Dolores (Dee) Hammond, also a 1956 graduate of Valley High who survives. They were married February 22, 1957, in the West Des Moines Methodist Church. Together they embarked on a life blessed with faith, trust, love, partnership, growth, sharing, family, and adventure. They celebrated 68 years of marriage.

The couple decided that Mike should attend college, and he enrolled in Iowa State University in 1959. It was a decision that changed their lives for the better beyond their fondest dreams. He graduated in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management. While he was in college Dee continued working, earning her PHT degree (Putting Hubby Through). The positive experience of Iowa State, particularly the devotion and encouragement of several professors in the Forestry Department, cannot be overstated.

After graduation the adventure really began. Daughter Elizabeth was born May 6, 1962 in Des Moines before Mike graduated. The couple was expecting daughter Peggy (she arrived June 24, 1964) when Mike was hired as a junior forester with the U.S. Forest Service in Manistee, Michigan. They moved there in December 1963. The support of family and friends were vital in the transition. Moreover, the support of the “Forest Service Family” was equally important. That support remained important for 30 years and was given to others as well as received.

The Forest Service adventure continued for 30 years and included 10 duty stations in 7 states. Mike considered himself fortunate to work in the Job Corps Program and to be the District Ranger in Marcell, Minnesota, Forest Supervisor on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and Maine and then the Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin where he retired in 1993. Throughout the entire adventure Dee was a family leader, a source of strength for Mike, and a friend to all she knew.

Dee and Mike had a happy retirement of 32 years enjoying traveling and visiting friends and family. Together they visited all 50 of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean. They moved to Chillicothe, Ohio in 2005 to be closer to their families and further from the cold Wisconsin winters. Friendships were made there through church, DAR, and Lions. One more move in 2024 brought them even farther south from the winter weather to Florence, South Carolina.

Survivors are beloved Dee, daughter Beth Doty, son-in- law Dwight Doty, grandson Jordan Woodberry (Sierra); daughter Peggy Shiflett, son-in-law Nathan Shiflett, grandsons Justin Shiflett (Leah), Eric Shiflett (Sarah), and Kyle Shiflett (Lindsey) and 3 great grandchildren: Cooper and Colby Shiflett and Sage Woodberry.

No service is planned. True to Mike’s wishes his ashes will be scattered over his beloved north woods of Minnesota. The family requests that memorials be made to the Chillicothe Evening Lions Club, PO Box 567, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.