Jerome Paul Hedrick, 82, of Sparta passed away peacefully in his home Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020.
Paul was born July 12, 1938, to George Joseph and Frances Ann (Berendes) Hedrick in Sparta. He grew up on Summit Ridge, where he would eventually raise a family of his own. Paul graduated from Sparta High School in 1956 and went on to enlist in the United States Army National Guard. In 1961, his unit was activated and sent to Fort Lewis in Washington during the Berlin Crisis. Paul was an active member of the Norwalk American Legion Post #438.
He and his brother, Ron, purchased the family farm in 1962. On May 2, 1964, Paul married Carolette Young, and together they raised five children on the Hedrick home farm. In 1990, Paul and Carolette moved to Sparta. He worked at the Monroe County Courthouse as a janitor from 1984 until his retirement in 2004.
Paul was a devout Catholic and had unending faith in God. He and Carolette were active members of St. John’s Summit Church for many years and later joined St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta.
Paul mastered the art of teasing his grandkids and loved to laugh with them and make them giggle. His gentle, humble demeanor and silly fun will be missed by so very many.
Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolette; four children, Mike (Amy) Hedrick, Theresa (Eric) Theisen, Julie (Mark) Degner, and Christina Logterman; a daughter-in-law, Susan Hedrick; 15 grandchildren, Scott Path, Andrea (Ryan) Martin, Katie (Ian Bohn) Hedrick, Sam and Anthony “Manny” Hedrick, Lexi, Alla and Luci Hedrick, Peyton, Brady and Delaney Theisen, Sydney and Nathan Degner, and Sam and Ella Logterman; his siblings, Elaine Nicol, Dorothy Warriner, Noel Hedrick, Joan Sullivan, Ron (Peg) Hedrick, Caroline Flock, and Mary Hulleman; his sister-in-law, Betty Hedrick; his godchildren, Kathy Zay, David Warriner, Ken Mingus, Denise Mulvaney, Bud Berendes and Laura Olds; along with many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James; a sister, Helen Riley; a brother, Joseph Hedrick; and his brothers-in-law, Fran Nicol, Ken Warriner, Dave Sullivan, Walt Riley, Pete Flock and Clayton Hulleman.
A private Mass of Christian Burial is being planned for family members of Paul on Friday, Aug. 21, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta. Father Eric Berns will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be held immediately following the funeral in St. John Summit Cemetery on Summit Ridge, rural Norwalk.
Family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate in Paul’s name to any of the following charities: St. John Summit Ridge Cemetery, SACS, St. Patrick’s Church or School.
The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements.
