Carole Lois Hadley
August 3, 1936 – August 9, 2026
And
A. Chandler Hadley
February 19, 1934 – June 30, 2020
Carole Lois Hadley
Carole Hadley of Engadine, MI. Born August 3,1936, a first generation American and second daughter to Hank and June Duchild, immigrants from Manitoba Canada and Eastern Europe.
Growing up in Chicago, Carole chased after older sister Marlene to hang out in local Humboldt Park to people watch. Somewhat of a tomboy she arm wrestled the neighbor boys and picked on her younger brother Bob – that ended when he grew enough to drag her through the kitchen by her ponytails.
As a young teen Carole worked evenings at a dairy and had to run home through allies after dark.
There were also lots and lots of dances where Carole and Marlene “danced their feet off”! The sisters remained very close throughout their lives, often talking for hours over the phone.
Trips to visit a large extended family on her father’s side in Canada and her mother’s equally large family in southern Illinois were highlights into early adulthood.
A. Chandler Hadley
A. Chandler Hadley of Engadine, MI. Born February 19, 1934 in Ann Arbor to parents Alta and S.B.Hadley.
An only child, Chan was not a lonely child. He grew up in a full house with his grandmother and grandfather Hadley, his parents, occasional foreign exchange students, also aunts and uncles from the Engadine farm pursuing employment and potential spouses with help of their sister Alta.
Summer trips to the farm to visit grandparents Linda and Gustav Bentz were usually a month long and included aunts, uncles and cousins also visiting. There was farm work too. Haying using horses, fishing and reading time. All this before electricity became available in 1952. The farm would become an anchor point throughout Chan’s life.
A lifelong U of M Football fan, Chan, hawked parking spots on the family’s Packard Street front lawn, then joined his dad with their season tickets on the 50 yard line to cheer on the Wolverines. The season ticket tradition was maintained until 1968 when his father “Bud” died.
Upon graduating high school Chan received a scholarship from Bethlehem Church to attend Elmhurst College.
Chan Meets Carole
Carole was a freshman, Chan was a senior graduating June 1955. She made quite an impression and he didn’t want to risk losing her. He asked her to marry him, she accepted his proposal. They married September 3, 1955. He often said that was the best decision he ever made. They were together 67 years.
Carole and Chan began their married life together at Eden Seminary, Webster Groves, Missouri. They welcomed son Craig in 1957. Chan earned a Master’s in Theology in 1958.
Later that year Chan, Carole, and Craig moved to Middleton, Massachusetts to serve his first congregation. The family grew, adding King, a collie and second son Cameron in 1960.
They returned to Michigan in 1963 to serve a congregation in Dearborn and to be closer to family. Annual trips to the U.P. Farm begin. Third son Christopher is born 1963 and daughter Caryn is born 1967.
In 1968 the Hadley’s moved to Rochester where Chan served his third and final congregation growing to over 1,000 parishioners, retiring in 1999.
During Chan’s 41 years of serving congregations, Carole provided support with various committees and raising four challenging children. Making sure all four were in church to attend Sunday services – no excuses…mostly.
Carole was an accomplished artist working first in oils then watercolor. Much of her inspiration was drawn from nature, rural living and the historic U.P. Farm. She was a member of the Birmingham Artist association, exhibiting and selling her works regionally.
In 2007 Chan and Carole moved full time to the family farm in Engadine investing time and resources to preserve the iconic barn and farmhouse as a legacy to be enjoyed and cherished.
Both were generous with their hearts and resources. Enjoying visits at the kitchen table with family and friends.
Chan passed away at the farm on June 30, 2020. A place of family origin that had always brought him peace.
Carole lived with Caryn and her family in Engadine after Chan passed away. In 2024 she became a resident at the Newberry Assisted Living Community.
In July 2025 Carole attended Maria and Zach’s wedding at the farm and reception where she danced for hours with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She lived in the moment.
Carole passed away early Sunday morning, August 9, 2026 with her daughter Caryn sleeping by her side. Carole was assisted by caring staff who truly loved her and shared that in her final weeks she would say that Chan had visited her often and was impatient for her to join him.
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate the lives of Carole and Chan will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be shared at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
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Death Notice
Robert Charles Ash
September 24, 1974 – August 28, 2026
Robert “Bobby” Charles Ash, age 51, died unexpectedly Friday, August 28, 2026.
