Thomas E. "Hat's" Hathaway, 71, of Danville passed away at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 7, 2008, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on April 4, 1937, in Danville, the son of Vern and May Faryan Hathaway. He married Donna Maross on June 11, 1965, in Danville. She survives.

Other survivors include his son, Parker (Sandy) Hathaway of Gibson City; his daughter, Dreama (Glenn) Mueller of Woodridge; his grandchildren, Megan and Morgan Mensavage, Hannah and Haven Hathaway, and Brad Brucker; his three sisters, Barbara Curran of Mountain Home, Ark., Patricia (John) Hyche of Danville, and Mikalene (Jim) Travers of Warren Robins, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Judy (Martin) Avenatti of Chrisman. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Thomas served in the National Guard for seven years. He retired from CSX, where he worked for 35 years. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westville. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sportsmen's Club in Westville. Thomas was an avid Cubs and Illini fan. He loved to play poker and enjoyed drinking coffee with his buddies at Schroeder's. He enjoyed working in his yard and making a garden. He was a loving husband, dad, and Papa.

A mass of Christian burial for Thomas will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at St. Mary's Parish 231 N. State St. Westville. Father Timothy Sauppe will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday Oct. 10, 2008 with a Rosary service at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 St. State St. Westville. He will be laid to rest at St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Mary's School. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.