Gary Hadley

Gary K. Hadley was born November 8, 1937 in Marshalltown, IA to Bernard and Norma Hadley of New Providence, IA. He passed away at his home in Osceola, IA on December 6, 2019.

He grew up on the family farm and enjoyed the outdoors and livestock. Before school in the spring, he could be found earning money sheering sheep for local farmers.

He was active in Boy Scouts and 4-H. He played baseball and basketball in high school, and was a dedicated fan of Iowa State sports, mostly basketball, but enjoyed girls volleyball as well. If there was a game, he was either there or watching it at home on the TV or computer.

He served in the Army, being stationed in Arlington, VA; Yuma, AZ; and Thule, Greenland. After the service he worked on a ranch in the Sand Hills of Nebraska, where his love of cattle and horses was renewed. His work took him many places as a truck driver, mail carrier and building his cattle herd. He was often seen driving through town with his horse “Ace” in the back of his pickup parked at the local café while “Ace” waited patiently before heading home to work cattle.

He spent his winter evenings learning to tool leather and making binder covers, wallets, belts and shoes.

At the time of his passing, Gary was living the life he loved, raising purebred Angus cattle, spending time with his friends and neighbors, working at the sale barn, having coffee or meals at the local restaurant and watching Iowa State sports.

Gary is survived by his brother Neil (Alice) Hadley of Union, IA; sister Karla (Robert) Holveck of Newberg, OR; sister-in-law Janet (Jay) Hadley of Story City, IA; many nieces and nephews, and an ex-wife Sunny Hadley of Ft. Myers, FL.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jay Hadley; and an infant sister, Mary Amelia.

A celebration of life will be held at the Osceola Eagles in Osceola, IA on Saturday, December 28 starting at 1:00 p.m.

The family will hold a graveside service at the Hadley Cemetery in New Providence, IA at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Osceola, IA.