Ralph Hadley

1931 - 2021

Ralph Hadley

Springfield - On Monday, February 8, 2021, Ralph W. Hadley, loving husband and father of four children, passed away at the age of 89. Ralph was born on July 1, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois to Ralph S. and Helen (Stucki) Hadley. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and pastored five churches in Pennsylvania, Missouri, New Jersey and New York. He married Laurel Grace Speedy on August 27, 1954. They raised two daughters, Evelyn and Carolyn, and two sons, David and Paul. Ralph had a passion for his garden, his study of Scripture and was a faithful prayer warrior. He loved to banter with family and friends and laughingly struggled fully understanding the latest technology. His annual "relative tour" kept him in contact with his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Ralph, his mother, Helen, his wife, Laurel Grace, his youngest son, Paul and his great grandchildren Hope Merriman and Joseph McClellan. He is survived by his children Evelyn (Joe) Purdy, David (Denise) Hadley and Carolyn (Larry) Merriman and his grandchildren: Cherissa (Rich) Way, Laurielle (James) McClellan, Aaron (Miranda) Purdy, Caleb Purdy, Giovanni, Taylor (Kristen) Hadley, Adam (Rachel) Hadley, Annie (Mike) Hallquist, Anson (Grace) Hadley, Jane Hadley, Joshua (Laura) Merriman, Seth Merriman, Philip Merriman, Cassandra Merriman, Allison Hadley and Erica Hadley. He also has 8 great grandchildren: Asher, Kellan, Mikaila, Jude, Lucy, Jack, Camille and Judah. A family visitation will be held on Sunday, February 14th, at 1 o'clock at the Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, 2001 W. Walnut Lawn St., Springfield, MO. He will be buried next to his son, Paul, at the Hazelwood Cemetery.