Don Michalove, who served as Mayor of Hendersonville in the late-eighties and early nineties, died on Sunday in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 86. He and his late wife, Eleanor, had moved to that city some years ago to be near one of their daughters and re-locate to an assisted living facility there.
As a local businessman, Michalove ran for city commission in 1977 and won a seat on council and served in that role until 1981 when he ran for Mayor on a platform of 'no city Manager', but rather a mayor-council form of government. He won several more four year terms until he decided not to run against the late Fred Niehoff, who was a council member and was elected Mayor to succeed Michalove.
Michalove was a fulltime Mayor, who oversaw city commissioners who were in charge of various city departments. In addition to serving as Mayor, Michalove was a member of a number of local civic organizations.
Michalove was a 1951 graduate of Hendersonville High School and attended the University of Miami. When he returned home from college, he took over the reins of Daniels Furniture, a local furniture store at the corner of Main and Third Avenues, established, owned and operated by his mother and father. Hannah Flanagan's restaurant and bar purchased that property where they currently operate a business.
After his retirement as Mayor, Michalove was the host of Open Line Hendersonville, a former local opinion-talk show on WHKP Radio. Art Cooley, President and General Manager of WHKP commented that he and Michalove were 'childhood friends and school mates' and continued that relationship for a lifetime.
Michalove was married to the late Eleanor "Ellie" Nanney Michalove, who passed away in February, 2015. He is survived by three daughters: Melissa Michalove Smith, Lori Hovis and Rachel Michalove and five grandchildren.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, March 8 at Oakdale Jewish Cemetery in Hendersonville, followed by a reception at Agudas Israel Congregation.
