Edward I. "Eddie" Cadwallader, 79 years of the Danville Community, passed away on Wednesday January 6, 2021.
He was born in Danville on May 4, 1941, the son of the late Hugh and Margaret (Leininger) Cadwallader. Besides his parents, he is also preceded by two sisters and brother-in-law, Phyllis (Tom) Mahoney and Vicki Moon.
Eddie was a life long farmer, a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highland County Farm Bureau and served in the Ohio National Guard.
Eddie is survived by his wife, Jane Ann (Huffner) Cadwallader, whom were married on June 17, 1961, son, Deron (Jo Ellen) Cadwallader of Lynchburg, daughters, Jonda (Charles) Davidson of Hillsboro and Kristin (Steele) Murray of Hillsboro, eight grandchildren, Emily (Grant) Webb, Carrie (Jacob) Bohrer, Justin (Beth Ann) Davidson, Aaron Murray, Evan (Erin) Cadwallader, Tori Hall, Vicki Long and Kris Gammons, and 13 great grandchildren.
The life of Eddie Cadwallader
Eddie and Jane started dating in 1957. They had been dating a week when Eddie told Jane he loved her, and she laughed. Father Mike asked Jane, what were you thinking? Jane replied, she did not think they knew each other that long. Father Mike said, you had 59 years to find out. Jane would say that all Eddie had to do was smile and she would melt. Father Mike asked, how long did you courtship each other before you got married? Jane replied, 4 years, but my dad would not let me get married because I was only 17 until I got out of school, when we were older. Father Mike asked, so your dad wanted you to get a little older and graduate? Jane replied yes. Father Mike replied to Jane, with Eddie you passed the test.
Shortly after Eddie graduated, he joined the National Guards. On a weekend pass at Christmas, they got engaged in 1960. They were married in 1961 and were married 59 years sharing life and love together and must have been like farming. Father Mike asked, I guess you like farming too, right Jane? Jane replied, I had never been on a farm until I married him. Father Mike asked, well did you fall in love with farming too? Jane replied: Oh yes, sure, whatever he loved I loved. Father Mike said, that is what a marriage is, what he loves, she loves and that is what you call a real strong bond. Being married all those years, you probably saw good times and bad times.
They raised three very independent and successful children. Father Mike said, I guess they had their own ways of thinking. Father Mike said, I love this quote from Eddie. Eddie would say there are three ways to do things, "the right way, the wrong way, and the Cadwallader way." His children would say that their work ethic was derived from their father. Father Mike said, Eddie was a hard worker. I remember one time I went to visit him on the farm, it was about the time we had snow and he was working in the shed that day. Father Mike said to Eddie, now Eddie, what do you do on the farm now? Do you sit around watch TV and relax? Eddie said, oh no, I work on all the machinery this winter to get it ready for the next year, and that is what Eddie was doing working on a tractor. Eddie was always working. Eddies famous quote was "hard work never hurt anybody."
Eddie bought his first farm in 1961, right after they got married, of 55 acres. At his passing into heaven, he had 600 acres. Eddies hard work surely paid off.
Eddie and Jane traveled with the Senior citizens extensively and enjoyed many trips in the U.S. Father Mike asked Jane, who did all the farming while you two were gone? Jane pointed to their son Deron. Father Mike replied, Oh, him (Deron) that is why we have babies that work on the farm, especially boys. Father Mike asked, Deron, you took care of the farm? Deron replied yes. Father Mike asked Jane, did you go all over the country traveling? Jane replied, yes. They were fortunate to go to Hawaii three times. One of those trips were during 9/11. Father Mike replied, I bet that was scary.
Eddie loved his margaritas! Father Mike said, well that is enough said, he was happy drinking his margaritas. Many nights were spent with family and friends dancing. Some of his favorite songs included "Hard Working Man, Rambling Man, Little Change in My Pocket, Give Me Just One More Chance." Father Mike said to Jane, probably after you and Eddie had a fight, and you showed that he was wrong, Eddie said, give me one more chance Jane. He loved to square dance and taught all his children.
He loved college basketball, Father Mike asked Jane, did he love Ohio State? Jane replied, he loved all basketball. Father Mike asked, if Eddie got depressed or anything about teams losing? Jane said No, but he wore the DVR out recording all the games. Eddie usually watched two games at one time. Eddie would drive anywhere to watch sprint car races. Father Mike said, another quote that Eddie said was, I am Eddie Andretti. That is why he watched the sprint races. Eddies favorite restaurant was going the Old Y Restaurant with Jane, seeing family and friends. Eddie was passionate about farming which everyone knows, just drive by the farm and you will see why.
Every member of the family will also remember these Eddie quotes, "There are three ways to do things, the right way, the wrong way and the Cadwallader way." "What-cha been doing? You ain't got that done yet." "You sometimes learn more by sitting back and by being silent." "Don't run in the house and use your head!"
Father Mike: In closing, Eddie was quiet but loved deeply. He was proud of all this family. He will be greatly missed by his wife Jane of 60 years of marriage, his children, and his many grandchildren. He left a lasting impression on everyone. This is a celebration of Eddies life, and so true, I do believe that in his 79 years on this earth, that he made the world a better place. Eddie made it better from when he first started. I think our covenant with God, that all God's going to ask Eddie is whatcha being doing down there Eddie? Eddie would point out to God, his wonder family farm, feeding the hungry obviously, and just being well as Jesus talked about Nathaniel and when we look at Nathaniel, Jesus said, now there is a guy without pride, you know where you stood and with Eddie you knew where you stood. Eddie was true to his beliefs, his faith, he lived it, and he was a model example of it, and now he does not need saving anymore. Faith gives ways to possession and Eddie was in the presence of Jesus whole and entire, he sees Jesus asking where he is and is looking at Jesus, Eddie will probably find out that Jesus too was a martyr. You know, because Jesus was in the business of growing children for God, and Eddie was proudly one of those children for God. We honor Eddie today, we salute him. I thank God that he lived, loved, and now has life forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 pm Saturday January 9, 2021 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, 212 South High Street, Hillsboro Ohio 45133. Burial will follow at the Hamer Township Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Highland County Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 10:00 am until time of Mass on Saturday at the church.
Thompson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.
Donations can be made to the St. Mary's Catholic Church, 212 South High Street Hillsboro, OH 45133.
To sign our online guestbook, please visit us at
www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com