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Virginia May (Whistler) Hadley, age 84, a long-time resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away at her home and went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
Born in Elk City, Kansas on October 26, 1931 to Leslie J. Whistler and Ida M. (Black) Whistler, Virginia received her early education in Elk City, and when she was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Independence, Kansas. She graduated in the Class of 1949 from Independence High School. Following graduation, she went to work at Fram Oil Company in Independence for approximately a year. She later worked briefly at Bell Telephone Company.
On December 9, 1950, Virginia married Richard Lee Hadley from Sycamore, Kansas. They were married in Eureka Springs, Arkansas while Richard was home on leave from his duty in Fort Devens, Massachusetts with the United States Army. They made their home in Shirley, Massachusetts until Richard was reassigned to Ulm, Germany. During Richard's twenty years in the Army, the couple lived in Germany three different times, and in addition to Massachusetts and Germany, they made their home in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Three daughters were born of the marriage in Massachusetts, Germany, and Oklahoma. Virginia loved to travel, and loved being an Army wife. Following Richard's retirement from the Army in 1968, Virginia and Richard moved to Copan, Oklahoma and lived there until 1976 when they bought a new home, and moved to Bartlesville. Virginia lived in the home in Bartlesville until her death.
Virginia was a homemaker for most of her adult life; however, after she and her husband retired to Oklahoma, she was a leading sales representative for both Tupperware and Avon. She loved people, and loved to entertain in her home. She was a sports fanatic, and had great enthusiasm for her Oklahoma Sooners! Of all her pursuits, Virginia was most passionate about cooking, and enjoyed hosting holiday events, dinners, and parties. She was also a talented painter and ardent reader, who appreciated a good mystery. Virginia was active in her church, where she did anything she was asked to do, including teaching Sunday school and bible studies, providing meals, mentoring college students, and singing in the choir. Her community was important to her, too, and she served a term on the Copan School Board. She regularly attended her high school reunions, and remained close to many classmates.
Virginia's outlook was positive, and as she became older and her mobility was severely limited by arthritis, she faced her physical limitations with courage and grace. She was always ready for a visitor, and looked forward to outings with her family. Her family was the center of her life and her joy, and she was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Virginia was loved by many people, and the impact of her death is immeasurable.
Virginia Hadley is survived by three daughters, Diane Hinkle (George) of Bartlesville, Connie Lockhart of Houston, Texas, and Sandra Gabby (Mark) of Bartlesville; her grandchildren, James Short of Tampa, Florida, Cory Hinkle (Tory Stewart) of Glendale, California, Andrea Short (Anna Marchese) of Houston, Texas, Jared Hinkle of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy Allsup of Bartlesville, Diana Hyde (Chris) of Edmond, Oklahoma, Julie Griffith (Blake) of Dewey, Oklahoma, and Adrian Gabby of Bartlesville; and her great-grandchildren, Hayle Short, Kadence Hinkle, Kenady Hinkle, Silas Hinkle, Madeline Hinkle, and Hayes Tyler Hyde. She is also survived by her brother, Edward Whistler (Thelma) of Kansas City, Kansas.
In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Richard Hadley; a grandson, Tyler Hinkle; a son-in-law, Bryan Lockhart; and four brothers, Norman Whistler, Ted Whistler, Lloyd Whistler, and Michael Whistler.
Memorial services to honor Virginia and celebrate her life are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3650 S.E. Adams Blvd., Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
A memorial has been established in Virginia Hadley's name, and contributions may be sent to the First Church of the Nazarene in Bartlesville.
Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org.
Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory
1600 Southeast Washington Boulevard
Bartlesville,
OK
74006
(918) 333-4300
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