Charles Edward Hadley


Charles Edward Hadley, age 89, surrounded by his loving wife and children and the love of our Lord passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, in Charlotte, Michigan. We were blessed that close family and friends were able to say good-bye during the two days before he passed. He was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Charles was born on September 17, 1935, in Lansing, Michigan to Daniel and Fern (Dorr) Hadley. He was the fourth child of six children. Charles married the love of his life, Beverly Jean Wright, on August 5, 1956, and they were married for 68 years and they had four loving children. Charles (Charlie) will be remembered for many things. Coming from meager beginnings, he began working as a produce manager at Maker’s IGA to learn the family skill of meat cutting. Charlie became the owner of his own corner store, the South End Grocery, in Charlotte, Michigan and at one time the Thriftway market in Mulliken. He taught his children and several young people the skill of responsibility and working with people. He also managed to purchase a farm and became a crop farmer and later owned a peat farm. Later in life he worked at General Motors for twenty years and retired. Charlie and Beverly moved to Zephyrhills, Florida where he learned to golf for the first time. They enjoyed being retired and returned to Michigan during the summers. He learned the love of fishing and hunting at an early age and it made him happy to share his knowledge and experiences with his children, grandchildren and many friends throughout his life.

Charles is survived by his wife of 68 years, Beverly Jean Hadley (Wright); four children Kim (Bud) Kruszka, Chuck (Tiva) Hadley, Sally (Rod) Magoon and Scott (Bonnie) Hadley. Charlie and Beverly have sixteen grandchildren, Charles (Chuckie) Edward Hadley III, Marshall Magoon, Jeremiah Hadley, Christopher (friend Tonya) Magoon, Jessica Hadley, Mitchell (Jen) Magoon, Tia (Ray) Armstrong, Ty (Brianna) Hadley, and Nikolaus (friend Eliza) Kruszka and Tim Lenhard, Samantha Dumond, Kaity Loveland, and Alex Cummings; thirteen great-grandchildren, Charles Edward Hadley IV, Olyvia Magoon, Annabelle Magoon, Brody Choinski, Harper Choinski, Maylee Hadley, Maddyn Hadley, Kollins Armstrong, Estin Hadley, Emily Lenhard, Maddie Armstrong, Noah Armstrong, and Ilitah Simmons; five great-great-grandchildren, Alaric, Malikye, Novaleigh, Delylah and Genicys, and children Sophia and Manoah.

He is also survived by his brother, David Hadley; sisters-in-law, Janet Bryner and Sally Buckley; brother-in-law, Richard Phelan; and many loved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Fern Hadley; brothers, Daniel Hadley, Clarence (Bill) Hadley; sisters, Barbara Corrigan and Carol (Dee-Dee) Phelan; sisters-in-law, Arlene Hadley, Joyce Hadley, Mary Hadley; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Corrigan, Roger Bryner, and Dick Buckley; and his three grandchildren, Charles (Chuckie) Hadley III, Jeremiah Hadley and Charles Edward Hadley IV.

He is also remembered by special friends, Robert and Diane Lake, Randy Grundstrom, and Steve (Ted) Dotts. Special thanks to cousins, Dick and Linda Balzer who tended to their care while in Florida.

Friends are encouraged to support Charles’ family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 2–5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25 at Pray Funeral Home with grandson, Ty Hadley, officiating. Interment will take place at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing with a luncheon to follow. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Charles’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.