Willard J. Hadley (1987)

HADLEY, BARNETT, COOK, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 1/2/2006 at 13:32:44

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
November 1987

Services for Willard J. Hadley, 91, Earlham, who died Nov. 3, were held Friday, Nov. 6, at the Bear Creek Friends Church in Earlham with the Rev. Keith Smith officiating. Burial was at the Bear Creek Cemetery. Military graveside rites were also performed by the Lorimor American Legion.

Born Jan. 12, 1896 in Dallas County near Earlham, he was the son of Isaac Anson and Mary Barnett Hadley. He was a birthright member of the Bear Creek Friends Church.

He graduated from the Earlham Academy in 1914 and attended William Penn College. He served in the Army from July 1918 until May 1919 at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga.

On June 20, 1923 he was married to Berneice Cook and they made their home in the Bear Creek Community. The couple had three children: Marjorie Smith of Earlham, Howard of Des Moines and Leonard of Newton. Mr. Hadley and his wife had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1973.

Mr. Hadley farmed in the Earlham area and was a past commander of the American Legion post and a past master of Madison Lodge No. 568 of Earlham and a member of the Des Moines Consistory.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1982, his parents, a sister and a brother. His children and spouses, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren survive.
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Earlham Echo – November 12, 1987
Earlham, Iowa

Willard J. Hadley, son of Isaac Anson and Mary (Barnett) Hadley, was born January 12, 1896 in Dallas County, Earlham, Iowa. He was a birthright member of the Bear Creek Friends Church.

Willard graduated from the Earlham Academy in 1914 and attended William Penn College during the winter quarter. He served in the U.S. Army from July 1918 until May 1919 at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia.

On June 10, 1923 he was united in marriage with Berneice Cook and they made their home in the Bear Creek Community. To this union were born three children: Marjorie Smith of Earlham, Howard of Des Moines and Leonard of Newton. Willard and Berneice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1973.

Willard farmed in the Bear Creek and Earlham areas, painted and did remodeling for a number of years. His home the past five years was his apartment in Earlham where the residents of the apartments and those with which he shared the congregate meals “was just like family.”

He was a Past Commander of American Legion Post #158, a Past Master of Madison Lodge #568 of Earlham and a member of the Des Moines Consistory.

Willard was preceded in death by his wife Berneice in 1982, his parents, sister Orpha Mendenhall and his brother Oren. He leaves his three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, niece, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Services were conducted Friday November 6, 1987 at the Bear Creek Friends Church, Earlham, Iowa with Pastor Keith Smith officiating and Madison Lodge #568 AF & AM, Earlham, Iowa. Organ music was provided by Velma Barnett. Pallbearers were Philip Hadley, Donald Jones, Darwin Snook, Edwin Smith, Steven Zenz and Thomas Ackerman. Interment was in Bear Creek Cemetery, rural Earlham, Iowa.