Vandalia’s where my heart is

Graveside visitor shares love and loss

VANDALIA, OH — Drive south down Dixie Dr. and there’s a good chance you’ve seen him: a man seated in his walker, resting beside a flower-decorated grave.

His name is Ronald Bradley, a current Greenville resident who lived in Vandalia for 60 years. Despite his move, however, he said his heart still lies here in the Crossroads of America, along with his wife, who rests in Poplar Hill Cemetery.

Ronald and Mary Bradley had a marriage of 65 years, parted only by Mary’s death in 2019. High school sweethearts, Bradley said many people in their lives said they were ‘too young’ to form a lasting relationship, but the couple took it in stride, adopting Nat King Cole’s 1951 release, “Too Young,” as their love song.

They raised three children: Brad, Bruce and Gina, and Bradley said the closeness of his family has only endured through the years. Bradley chose to move from Colorado back to Ohio just to be a closer grandfather for his grandchildren.

Even after death, Bradley’s closeness with his wife has continued. While Vandalia drivers may have taken note of Bradley’s frequent cemetery visits, he said his time with his wife doesn’t just take place at Poplar Hill, and his visits are in no way for show.

“I don't do it for notoriety,” he said. “I do it because she's in my heart. She's in my heart constantly, and I talk to her. If you come to my house and listen, we swear to God she's in here …. I know she’s not there [at the cemetery, spiritually], but it’s the last place I left her.”

Someday, Bradley hopes to be buried beside her. Due to health issues, Bradley said his visits out to Poplar Hill have been more difficult as of late. But he’s never stopped talking to his honey, and not a day goes by that he’s not told his wife he loves her.

It’s advice Bradley passes solemnly to those still living married life. Despite ups and downs like anyone else, Bradley said he’s always held fast to two concepts, continuing the second every day even after death.

“Never go to bed mad,” he said, “and always tell your wife you love her.”