GREENVILLE — Spirit EMS held a groundbreaking ceremony for the John & Iris Hathaway Education & Community Center, a major community-focused expansion on Greenville’s south end that honors the Hathaway family’s deep legacy of education, service, farming, and compassion.
The expansion is being constructed under the leadership of Brumbaugh Construction, utilizing a broad team of local contractors to bring the center to life. Partial funding was awarded through Ohio State Capital Grant funds, secured with the assistance of Darke County Economic Development, which helped author the grant application. The project has also received strong support from the City of Greenville Council and administration, and local financial backing has been provided by GNB Banking Centers.
The new center reflects the heritage of the Hathaway family—especially:
- Grandma Iris, a retired nurse who balanced caregiving, family, and farm life.
- Grandpa John, whose passion for farming and community stewardship continues to shape the center’s mission.
- Deb Hathaway, who taught for 43 years in Greenville City Schools. Her preserved classroom doors and bricks from Gettysburg, East, and the old Greenville Junior High will be displayed in the center.
- The family’s farming roots, represented by artifacts such as glass milk bottles and items saved from the barn on Bishop Road—symbols of trust, community, and a way of life centered on hard work and hospitality.
A state‑of‑the‑art teaching kitchen will anchor the building, designed for instruction, community gatherings, and training reflective of the warmth and hospitality the Hathaway family embodied.
The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2026.
“This center is far more than a building—it is a tribute to the people, values, and community that shaped who we are today,” said Brian Hathaway, President/CEO. “We are incredibly grateful to Brumbaugh Construction and the many local contractors bringing this vision to life. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our state legislators, Darke County Economic Development, the City of Greenville, and GNB Banking Centers for believing in this project. Their support ensures that the legacy of education, service, and community that my family lived out every day will continue for generations.”
