Earl Hadfield

CHARLESTON – Earl D. Hadfield, 90, of Charleston, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

The funeral service honoring his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home.  Burial with military rites by Paul McVey V.F.W. Post #1592 and its' Auxiliary and Charleston American Legion Post #93 will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.

Earl was born March 5, 1934 in Champaign, Illinois, son of George S. and Viola M. (Dunlap) Hadfield.  He married Patricia L. Apgar, June 6, 1954 at the Tuscola Christian Church; she survives.  Also surviving are two children, Steven D. (Debra) Hadfield of Kirkwood, MO and Cyndi A. (Michael) Cross of Vista, CA; grandchildren, Shaun, Rachel (Matt) Murphy, Evan, Christopher, John, Kevin, Sydney, and Mitchell Hadfield; and several great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dolores J. Lewis, and a son, K. Douglas Hadfield.

In high school, Earl was a gifted athlete, excelling in Football, Basketball, and Track and Field.  Earl was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a Seabee during the Korean War, working as a heavy equipment mechanic.  While he was stationed in Bermuda, he played on a semi-pro basketball team.  Earl later transferred to a base in Canada, where he was loaned to the Canadian Navy, and he played on their Basketball team.  He was a member of Central Christian Church of Charleston, Mattoon American Legion Post #88, and the I.B.E.W. Local #34.  Earl had served as a Cub Scout Troop Master when his children were young.  He enjoyed computers, loved country music, and was a talented guitar player.  Earl retired from Celotex, where he had worked as an Engineer.