Erlon C. Hadley Sr.

SOUTH WOODSTOCK – Erlon C. Hadley Sr., 90, of South Woodstock, Maine, died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, with loving staff at his side at Clover Health Care, in Auburn.

Erlon was born Nov. 13, 1932, in West Sumner, Maine, a son of the late Alton Hadley Sr. and Dora Wing Hadley. Erlon was the fourth child out of eight children. He witnessed much tragedy as a boy first watching his older brother Alton Jr. get struck by lightening at the age of 7, then his father died three years later. Erlon wanted a father badly which gave him the desire to be a great father, which he was. After his father died the family had to leave the farm and move around a lot. When Erlon was 12 years old, he moved in with Aiden Redding to West Paris and worked on the farm. This is where Erlon learned to drive trucks and love them. Erlon drove Aidens truck at the age of 15 years old until he was drafted in the military for the Korean war where he served as a medic in Germany. While in the Army he saved all the money he could and got by with very little. When Erlon got home, he took the money and used it to help buy the home on Front Street in Sumner for his mother Dora. He maintained that home for the rest of his mom’s life. Erlon Worked for CB Cumming Mill in Norway and then Merrill Transport in Portland. Erlon loved cars and Ford trucks. In 1959 Erlon got his auto dealers license and sold cars from his home in Windham. While hauling oil for Merrills, he would drive up through West Paris and Woodstock on his way to New Hampshire. When the Blue Bird dance hall in Woodstock burned Erlon saw an opportunity and bought the land it was on and would stop by the lot on his way by with the truck. Erlon bought a building from Maine Foresting service, and had it moved a half a mile up the road on the lot where it is today. Hadleys Auto Sales. Erlon sold his Windham home and bought his home in South Woodstock so son Lonnie could go to Forestdale Christian School. Erlon got done for Merrill in April 1962 and opened his business on May 4, 1962. Paul Merrill frequently stopped in to tell Erlon he always had a job with Merrills. Erlon had a heating oil, and bottle gas business along with selling cars and repairing them. Erlon bought his first dump truck, and the rest is history. Erlon was a self-made man with an eighth grade education. Erlon was a member of the West Paris American Legion, as well as a member of the Woodstock Seventh Day Adventist church. Erlon attended and graduated from the Woodstock church school now known as Forestdale Christian school. This is where Erlon met the love of his life Maude-Alice Appleby. They were married on Sept. 4, 1955. After Maude-Alice passed Erlon enjoyed a rekindled relationship with his teenage sweetheart Frances Wallace. They enjoyed 11 years together.

Erlon is survived by his companion Frances Wallace of Hartford, his baby brother Glendon Hadley of West Paris; three sons, Erlon “Lonnie” Hadley and companion Linda Baker of South Woodstock, Keith Hadley and wife Julie Hadley of South Woodstock, Dale Hadley of West Paris; two sisters-in-law, Cleo Ryerson of South Woodstock, and Helen Hadley of Sumner. 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Erlon was predeceased by his wife Maude-Alice Appleby Hadley, three sisters, Alethea, Freda, Glennis Hadley, three brothers, Alton Hadley Jr., Carroll “Cud” Hadley, Maurice “Mo” Hadley; two sisters-in-law, Martha Hadley and Gloria Hadley; two nieces and four nephews. A celebration of life is planned for November 5, at 11 a.m. at the Woodstock Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Arrangements by Cliff Gray Cremation & Funeral Services, 60 Andrew Road, Bryant Pond