Richard Melvin Hadley

Private Family Services were held for Richard Melvin Hadley, 84, of Thompson.

Mr. Hadley was born July 12, 1935 in Dayton, Ohio to Thomas M. and Catherine (Earley) Hadley.  He passed away December 23, 2019 at Briar Hill Health Care in Middlefield, Ohio following a very long and very slow decline which started after a massive heart attack more than 20 years ago. He was lucid until the very end. He was able to enjoy traveling and being out and about with his wife Carol (his love of 60 years—married October 3, 1959), and to be able to venture outdoors—where he wanted to be most of the time—until a few short years ago when his inevitable decline really accelerated. The family is truly grateful to the doctors, nurses, aides and social workers at Hospice of the Western Reserve and at Briar Hill Health Care for care and concern which made him comfortable until the very end.

Richard was a maintenance worker for the Cleveland Metro Parks for 35 years retiring in 1999 following a massive heart attack. He also worked a second job for 18 years starting soon after the birth of his youngest child John, often working 60 to 70 hours a week. No one ever worked harder to support their family than Richard Hadley. He did not really have any hobbies per se, but greatly enjoyed traveling with his wife Carol. They took many driving trips across the United States as well as several cruises until Richard’s declining health made that impossible.

He is survived by his wife, Carol (Palinkas) Hadley; son, John Hadley of Thompson; daughters, Cathleen (Joseph) Samia of Thompson and Cynthia (Mathew) Reese of Seattle, Washington; sisters, Patricia Klein of Missouri and Lynne Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

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