BATH — Michael D. Ahalt, 80, died unexpectedly on Feb. 28 in Donalsonville, Ga.

He was born in Jersey City, N.J. on March 17, 1931, a son of J. Dawson and Anne M. Kelleher Ahalt. He was educated in the local schools.

Ahalt joined the Navy when he was 17 and retired in 1969 as a Master Chief Fire Control Technician. He then worked for a brief time at Steen Company Inc. as an oil burner technician. He later went to work as supervisor of shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works.

On May 2, 1953, he married Beverly A. Dearing in Bath and they made their home there.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading and spending time on the water boating and sailing.

He was predeceased by his wife who died Jan. 20, 2006, and two sisters, Nan Perfit and Mary Alice Quaid.

He is survived by his children, Sheila Rutledge and her husband, Michael, of Helmet, Calif, Michelle Cain and her husband, Ronald, of Donalsonville, Ga., Michael Ahalt II of Donalsonville, Ga. and Kathy Eliassen and her husband, Kent, of Bath; sisters Denise Land, Loretta Puopolo and Shiela Goss; grandchildren, Christopher Rutledge, Vanessa Dooley, Levi Rutledge, Ian Rutledge, Caitlyn Rutledge, Michael Rutledge, Alaina Rutledge, Kai Rutledge, Lucas Rutledge, Alyssa Rutledge, Shelley Eliassen, Kent M. Eliassen and Eric Eliassen; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

At the request of the family, all services and burial will be private.