Ronald James Hedrick, 85, of Wilton, formerly of Summit Ridge, Wis., died peacefully at home, in the arms of his loving wife and three daughters, Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Ron was born Nov. 26, 1935, to George and Frances (Berendes) Hedrick in rural Norwalk.
He attended Bohn School, graduated from Sparta High School in 1953, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956–1959. In Ron’s humble heart, he requested that we keep his obituary simple: we feel compelled to add a little extra to pay tribute to a remarkable man.
In 1967, Ron’s life changed. He met a fun-loving girl who became his best friend. On July 13, 1968, Ron was united in holy matrimony to Margaret “Peggy” Trainer. They built a beautiful, faithful life on the Hedrick home farm, where Ron was born and raised and continued to farm. Fifty-two years of marriage brought them three strong daughters, his pride and joy. “What do I love most about you — everything!” was what he told his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
He was an exceptional baseball player and a diehard Cubs fan. Ron was a born leader and a diplomat, serving on the Monroe County Board and as the Ridgeville Town Chairman. He was a lifelong Democrat, a proud union man, and a dedicated rural mail carrier for 42 years. Kids on his mail route looked forward to the Certs candy he shared.
He was a man of faith who lived his life by the words from the Sermon on the Mount. Ron was a man with high principles who felt compelled to support those less fortunate; he always rooted for the underdog. He was so much more and … “SLTT” (stuff like that there).
Ron is survived by his wife, Peg; three daughters and their husbands, Denise and Patrick Mulvaney, Jennifer and David Erickson, and Jessica and Dillon Denter; his grandchildren, Taylor, Katelyn Hedrick and great-granddaughter Rory; Max, Jack and Rian Mulvaney; Elle Erickson and Chelsie Hoff; and Devery, Dulcey and Daclan Denter; his brother, Noel Hedrick; his sisters, Dorothy Warriner, Joan Sullivan, Carolyn Flock and Mary Hulleman; and his sisters-in-law, Betty Hedrick, Carolette Hedrick, Marcia (Don) Sandeen and Mary Sheppard.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; infant twins, Mary and Richard; his sisters and brothers, Helen Riley, Elaine (Fran) Nicol, Joseph Hedrick and Paul Hedrick; his in-laws, Ken Warriner, Dave Sullivan, Walt Riley, Pete Flock, Clayton Hulleman, Father Eugene Trainer, Richard (Ann) Trainer, and David Trainer; his nieces, Barb Peterson and Christina Logterman; and his nephews, James Hedrick and Steve Sandeen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 5, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Summit Ridge, rural Norwalk. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com. Keeping our families and community safe is important to us; therefore, we ask that those in attendance please wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing with the family. Masks will be available at the church.
“For when the One great scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes — not that you won or lost — but how you played the Game.” — Grantland Rice
