Harold grew up near Marietta, Ohio, on Fifteen Creek, graduated from Marietta High School with the Class of 1925, and graduated from Marietta College in 1932. Having decided to pursue a career as a funeral director, Harold then moved to Cincinnati to attend school at the Cincinnati School of Embalming. It was during this time that he met Virginia Sendelbeck. She grew up in Norwood, Ohio, graduated
from Norwood High School, and followed her dream of becoming a nurse by studying in the nursing program of Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. After Harold's graduation from Cincinnati College of Embalming and Virginia's graduation from Jewish Hospital as an RN, they were married on December 21, 1935, and moved to Marietta to begin their involvement in the funeral business. They opened Hadley Funeral Home at 500 Fifth Street on Mother's Day, May 5, 1938, in memory of Harold's mother, who had died when he was just a child. Harold and Virginia had three sons, two of whom also became funeral directors, H. Robert "Rob" Hadley, is the third generation of Hadley Funeral Home. Harold and Virginia both remained active in the funeral business until Harold's death in 1987 and Virginia's death in 2002. Lee, John, and Rob and their families respect the legacy of caring that was created by Harold and Virginia and that Hadley Funeral Home continues today. It is truly "our family serving your family."
