Roy Hildreth, Jr.

Roy Hildreth, Jr., 98, of Cadiz, Ohio passed away on July 17, 2025, which would have been his father’s birthday, at home on his farm in the same farmhouse he was born in, with his family by his side. He was born on November 15, 1926, in Cadiz Township and was a son of the late Roy Hildreth, Sr., and Ella Floyd Hildreth.

Roy was drafted to the United States Army and began active duty in February of 1942 where he proudly served his country fighting in World War II where he received the rank of corporal. He then went on to be honorably discharged. After returning to Cadiz, he worked for the State Highway Department. Later in life he went on to work as a heavy equipment operator at the Hanna-Coal Georgetown Prep Plant up until his retirement after 43 years of working there. He was a lifelong farmer and kept a beautiful property and farmhouse on Arnold Road in Cadiz—which was often filled with family making memories together. The farm also sat in what was normally known as Frogtown—which led to an ongoing joke among friends and family, and Roy was declared as the Mayor of Frogtown. He was a member of the Cadiz American Legion, Post #34 and the UMWA Local 7690. He was a member of the Asbury Chapel for many years. He was extremely proud of being a veteran and honoring his fellow soldiers and veterans however he could. One way he gave back was when he, along with his lady friend, Mae, participated in the Harrison County Military Support Group where he helped gather supplies and pack boxes for soldiers serving overseas. He also participated in putting up memorial crosses in honor of Memorial Day in Jewett—and was one of the oldest people working there until the crosses were in perfect rows.

Roy was preceded in death in addition to his parents by a son, George Hildreth; his stepmother, Helen Hildreth; 4 sisters, Dola Currie, Thelma Carter Mecham, Tulsa Snyder and Dorothy Herrick; 2 brothers, Kenneth and Raymond Hildreth; and 2 stepbrothers, Charles and Dwain Smith.

He is survived by his children, Rodney (Jane) Hildreth, Barbara Hildreth and Sandra Fletcher, companion and in Roy’s words, his lifeline, Esther Mae Blackstone; grandchildren, Chace (Erin) Smith, Nichole (Chris) Thomas, Chris Hildreth, Matt (Shelly) Hildreth, and Jim (Brittny) Hildreth; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 5-7 at Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home in Cadiz, Ohio. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor David Lee officiating at Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home in Cadiz. Burial will follow at Cadiz Union Cemetery where military honors will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Harrison County Military Support Group, 86990 Amsterdam Road, Jewett, Ohio 43986. The memorial guestbook may be signed at clark-kirkland-barr.com.