Edwin Dale Hoadley

April 5, 1949 – August 23, 2018

Ed Hoadley, 69, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 23, 2018, after a long battle with a brain degenerative disease. His wife was by his side, as she has been through the past 45 years, including his daily care through this battle.

He was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana and graduated from Bozeman High School. Ed briefly attended MSU before he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, and spent a difficult tour in Vietnam. Upon his return from his service, he resumed his auto repair work with his father at Hoadley’s Auto Repair on East Mendenhall. His time in Vietnam was a source of pride, and he always reached out to other veterans, often welcoming them home and thanking them for their service.

In June of 1973 he married the love of his life, Cora Madsen. They welcomed their first daughter, Lori, in 1976. In 1978 their second daughter, Christine, was born; and in 1988 he began work on his final baby, his 1968 Mustang Convertible (who now resides with daughter number 2). His midlife crisis included flying lessons and buying into a partnership in a small plane, a Comanche 250. The love of flying was shared with Christine and they spent many hours flying together over the Rockies.

Ed and Cora owned and operated Hoadley’s Auto Repair until 2001. They proved to be deft small business owners and at one point had 5 businesses operating concurrently (including Rent-A-Wreck and other automotive-based ventures). His days were full for over 40 years of incredible work ethic, as he continued building the reputation of integrity that Hoadley's was known for throughout the valley. Many stranded travelers were astonished when he arrived to save their day; his Bronco stocked with tools, a towing winch, an emergency light, and his uncanny knowledge of auto repair.

After retirement they began to spend winters in Austin, Texas, while coming home to Bozeman every summer. He loved his new routine of gunsmithing, time with new and old friends, and family dinners. He carried on his father’s legacy through his sense of humor and witty banter. They will certainly be entertained at the pearly gates – but we sure will miss him here!

Ed was preceded in death by his parents George and Vera (Williams) Hoadley, his sister Kay (Hoadley) Gormley, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is survived by his wife Cora (Madsen) Hoadley; daughters, Lori Hoadley and husband Scott Semegran of Austin, TX, and Christine “Christie” Hoadley of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Ahnika Thornhill, Colin Thornhill, Malia Hoadley, Mia Ryan Semegran, and Sophia Semegran; sister Barbara Hoadley Yates; five nieces, and extended family.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service in Bozeman this Monday, August 27th at 3:00pm. Veteran, Lions, Biker apparel are welcome. Donations may be made in Ed’s honor to Boys and Girls Club of SW Montana, Eagle Mount of Bozeman, or CurePSP.