Dean R. McHatton

Mr. Dean R. McHatton died peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, February 3, 2005, in Biloxi, MS. He was born May 23, 1924, in Colfax, Illinois, to Raymond and Meryl McHatton. He served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Mr. McHatton was married to Verna Jean Mowery on March 25, 1944. After the war he completed his flight training and aeronautical engineering course at Galesburg, Illinois. He was a flight instructor with the Department of Defense at Malden Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, AL. He taught military pilots basic, advanced and instrument flying. After retirement from Federal Service he was a sales representative for a large drug firm. He also obtained his captains's license from the US Coast Guard and chartered Mac's Honey at Mexico Beach, Florida and Biloxi. Upon final retirement Mr. McHatton and his wife moved to Biloxi from Dothan, AL., where they became active in volunteer work. Dean was past president of the State Federation of Retired Federal Employees, past president of local NARFE Biloxi Chapter 209, and was the State Legislative Officer for AARP. He also chaired the Maturity Market Board for the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He was a 50 year member of Masonic Lodge #573, Bernie, MO., a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge in Dothan, AL., a current member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge, and member of Eastern Star Fellowship Chapter 388 in Biloxi. Mr. McHatton was preceded in death by his mother, father and younger sister. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, two sons, Robert D. McHatton and wife, Karleen, of Ocean Springs, and Dr. Stephen R. McHatton of Asheville, NC., his brother, Raymond McHatton and wife, Roselyn of Springfield, Illinois, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 6, 2005, from 1-2 PM, followed by a 2 PM Memorial Service, all at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Crohn's Foundation or to the Unity Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1025, Gulfport, MS. 39502. The Pass Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.