Gabriel Dean "Gabe" Hadley
August 31, 2011
Gabriel “Gabe” Dean Hadley, 10, passed way at Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, on August 31, 2011, following a courageous and hard fought 5 year battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. Gabriel’s visitation will be at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA, on Friday, September 2, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m., at Heritage Assembly of God, 5051 Northeast 5th Street, Des Moines, IA. Burial will follow at Prairie Center Cemetery in Packwood, IA (corner of Hwy V63 and H17). The family will greet friends after the burial at Packwood Christian Church, 203 S. Church Street in Packwood, IA.
Gabriel was born on June 20, 2001, at Ottumwa Regional Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. He was the son of Douglas D. Hadley and Michelle R. Williams-Hadley. Gabriel was a member of Berean Assembly of God Church, and a student at Southeast Polk schools during his time spent in Pleasant Hill, IA. His family currently resides in Indiana and has been there since 2009. Gabriel loved to play with his sisters, brothers, cousins and friends, and was especially fond of “rough-housing” with his daddy, Doug; and going to movies with his mom, Michelle. He was a devoted Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Iowa Hawkeye, Iowa Stars and Southeast Polk Rams fan. He also followed many drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Gabriel also enjoyed spending time outside at Grandpa Carl and Grandma Sue’s farm in rural Iowa and visiting his Grandpa Doug and Nana in the Branson, MO, area.
Gabriel had the softest red hair and bright blue eyes. His infectious smile, energetic zest for life, fighting spirit and unwavering faith in God touched and inspired everyone that came in contact with him. Although the cancer at times made Gabriel appear frail, he possessed incredible strength, perseverance and an amazing ability to overcome incredible odds and physical challenges. Through his courage, he has taught all of us to treat each day as a gift from God and an opportunity to create lasting memories.
Gabriel was preceded in death by his father, Douglas D. Hadley, and his great-grandparents, William “Bill” and Thelma Hadley, Willard “Pood” Utterback, Henry and Nellie Salasberry, and Karl and Virginia Gibford. Survivors include his mother, Michelle R. Williams-Hadley; sisters, Alexandria and Faith Hadley; brothers, Luke and Blake Williams, all of Indiana; grandparents, Carl and Sue Hadley of Packwood, IA, Doug and Pat Gibford of Blue Eye, MO, Connie Dodge of Colorado; great-grandmother, Lora Utterback of Sigourney, IA; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Deb & Randy Cameron
09/02/2011
Michelle and family, We extend our sympathy at Gabe's passing. We know God will carry you through now and in the future. At the same time we rejoice in knowing we will see him again in Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed & Linda Payne
09/01/2011
Michelle and family -
Words just cannot adequately express how sad it is to have lost such a special little guy. Gabe's spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Some of our fondest memories of Gabe is when we would see him up on the platform with his daddy before church, when Doug was rehearsing on the drums with the worship team. Maybe the two of them are in heaven beating on some drums now.
Because of our faith in Jesus, it is such a blessing to know that someday we'll get to be reunited with those we love who have gone on before us.
You are in our thoughts and prayers and we are here for you whenever you need someone to talk to or someone to just listen. May God's grace give you strength for the days ahead.
We love you!
Steve and Lorraine Hansen
09/02/2011
We rejoice with Gabe at his homegoing and send our love and prayers to those who will miss him greatly. May the God of all comfort be with each of you at this time.