Darwin Roy Hoadley, 94, died February 8, 2011 in Woodstock, Vermont. He was born in So. Woodstock, VT on November 3, 1916, a son of Albert E. and Hattie (Allen) Hoadley and the sixth generation of Hoadleys to settle in the area.
He received his education at the So. Woodstock School, graduating from Woodstock High School in the class of 1935.
Darwin married Mona Havill on September 27, 1941. They lived in So. Woodstock for 62 years before moving to So. Pomfret and then to The Homestead in Woodstock.
In his early years he farmed with his father, leaving the farm in 1940 to work at the Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, VT during WWII. He also worked at Upwey Farms in So. Woodstock; farmed for local author, Anne Bosworth Greene in So. Woodstock; drove truck for Charles Fisk of Woodstock; was the head of maintenance at the old Woodstock Inn; and was an electrician for Leonard's Gas and Electric of Woodstock, retiring in 1978.
He was a volunteer fireman in the early years of the So. Woodstock Volunteer Fireman's Assoc.; a member of the Sugar House Swingers; the Long Hill Snowmobile Club; the So. Woodstock Community Club; the So. Woodstock Methodist Burying Ground Assoc.; the Green Mountain Perkins Academy; and on the So. Woodstock Church Board. Darwin took over the job of sexton of the So. Woodstock Methodist Burying Ground Assoc. from his father and took great pride in the appearance of the grounds and gravestones, giving it the respect it was due. After his retirement, he became more active in his community, working on several different projects to preserve and maintain the old historic buildings or anything else that needed doing for the community he loved. He was always willing to help out wherever it was needed.
Darwin loved the hills of So. Woodstock where he could often be found hunting, fishing, searching for ginseng, showing someone a cellar hole where their ancestors had lived or other landmarks, lining up bees, berrying, snowmobiling, or just pleasure walking. Ice fishing with several of his friends was a favorite winter pastime. He was called upon many times by homeowners to accurately dowse good water sources. He loved working with animals, from training his beagles to hunt rabbits; a pair of oxen to pull; helping a friend train their horse to a buggy; and having a mini farm of various animals. Once a farmer, always a farmer. He enjoyed attending fairs to see all the prize animals and especially to watch the ox pulling.
Telling stories of his ancestors, of his work, or of his own adventures was a favorite pastime and enjoyed by all who heard them. He also enjoyed telling anyone who would listen about the local history and reminiscing about the "good old days".
Darwin is survived by Mona, his wife of 69 years; a daughter, Marie and husband Tyler Bean of Orleans, VT; a granddaughter Jennifer and husband Werner Bartlau of Cambridge, VT; a grandson, Gregory Bean and wife, Kirstina of Newport, VT; three great grandsons, Thomas Bartlau of Cambridge, Chandler Martin and Jacob Bean of Newport; one great granddaughter, Morgan Bartlau of Cambridge; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers; Edwin, Arthur and Elwin; and two sisters; Iris Boraski and Laura Rice.
At Darwin's request, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock will be held in the spring. Donations in his memory can be made to the Vermont Old Cemetery Assoc. (VOCA), Thomas Griffin, Pres., 61 East Washington St., Rutland, VT, 05701. (VOCA is a non-profit organization to encourage the restoration and preservation of neglected and abandoned cemeteries in the state of VT)

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. The Obituary may be viewed and condolences expressed by visiting cabotfh.com.