'Watchdog' gets his day

PLAINS — By all appearances, the dedication of the community wading pool to Glenn Hadley was to be a surprise.

But when you mean as much to the people of Plains as Glenn and Donna Hadley do, a surprise is hard to pull off. Especially when the pool being dedicated in Hadley’s honor just happens to be across the street from where he and his wife live. The plans worked; the secret was kept, and the event was a surprise.

Clyde Terrell organized the dedication with the help of other members of the Plains Lions Club, the group that Hadley has been a member of for over 62 years.

During that time, Hadley had been a member of the Plains city council, the volunteer fire department, and even coached the baseball team.

Slowly and surely, around 11 a.m. on Saturday, the people started showing up. All told, over 50 people came to pay respects to a man and his wife for their service.

Hadley has been in weak health these past few months. He has lung cancer which has metastasized in both lungs. It was not to be a somber occasion, but a happy one—still there were a few tears that fell from friends’ cheeks.

Terrell showed up early and greeted people as they arrived. A call was made at the last moment to get a couple of chairs, since Hadley might need to sit down during the ceremony.

“He’s been a real watchdog for this pool over the years,” Terrell said of his friend. “Donna too. But Glenn—he’s just a really fine person. If anything was happening at the pool, or if anyone saw something, they’d tell Glenn.”

The weather was cool and clear, and the sun was out. There was definitely a small crowd forming—friends and family saying hello, giving each other hugs—and waiting for Hadley and his wife to show up.

Shirley Helterline was there and was happy the weather was nice.

“It’s as if the Good Lord knew we were going to be honoring Glenn today,” said Helterline. She was concerned, too, about Hadley’s decline in health, and mentioned a conversation she had with Hadley’s wife, Donna, earlier that morning: “He finally admitted he cannot do anything with needing air.”

By the time Hadley showed up moments later—oxygen tank in tow—a round of applause greeted the couple. They both smiled as they sat down.

Hadley also had some special visitors: his sons Brad from Colorado Springs, and Curt from Sandpoint, Idaho, with his wife Misty.

Hadley’s grandchildren were on their way, and arrived later in the afternoon for the occasion.

Plains Mayor Greg Eitelberg greeted everyone and asked them to gather around the wall near the entrance to the wading pool.

“We all know how much Glenn and Donna mean to this community,” Eitelberg said. “Today we’re honoring Glenn for his service by dedicating this pool to Glenn so that others will know and remember Glenn.”

Eitelberg unveiled the sign which will hang henceforth for Hadley’s “tireless efforts in maintaining this pool for the community of Plains,” the sign read. A round of applause followed the sign’s unveiling. Hadley and his wife smiled and nodded their heads.

Others were invited to speak on Glenn’s behalf.

Al Amundson said he’d known him for 62 years and knew nothing but kindness and goodness from his friend.

“You’re a good man,” said Amundson.

“I’d like to say a whole lot, but I’m afraid I’d just be crying,” said a woman standing behind the Hadleys.

“So I’ll just simply say thank you.”

Hadley himself spoke and updated everyone on his condition.

“We’ll they tell me my lungs will fill with mucus,” Hadley said, “and eventually there’ll be no more room for air.”

Hadley looked at his wife Donna, who had tears in her eyes. He held her hand and shook it gently.

“I’m honored to have this pool dedicated in my name,” he continued, “and to know it will be looked after when I’m gone.”

Let it not be said that Hadley could not crack a joke, which caused everyone to laugh in spite of the circumstances.

“I watched this pool sometimes with binoculars,” he said about his days long ago keeping watch of the pool, “and I was telling someone that some of these young mothers look pretty good.”

Big laughs all around, including Hadley’s wife, Donna, who shook her head and smiled at Hadley, as if she’d heard that joke for the millionth time.

Glenn Hadley Obituary