Stephen Mac Hedger, son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away with his family at his side on June 5, 2026 at his home in Brookfield, Vermont.  He did it his way and in his own time, just like he conducted his life.

Stephen was the only child of loving parents, Kate and Harold Hedger; the close knit loving family instilled in Stephen a strong sense of Indiana values and the importance of community.  He carried those values with him his entire life.

After graduating from Pendleton High School in 1960, Stephen enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he eventually met and married his first wife, Katherine (Kathy) Young Culbertson.  They have one son, Peter Hedger.

After Stephen and Kathy separated, Stephen moved to New England where he worked for the American Friends Service Committee in Boston and Cambridge MA and later in Hartford and Springfield CN.  He became an organizer, working with draft resistance during the Vietnam War and traveled across the country assisting those who were in need of support with regard to the draft.  He met and worked with some amazing and dedicated people during that period of time which helped shape his life. 

In 1970, Stephen moved to Vermont, and lived in collectives, both at Mt Philo and Waterbury Center.  During that period he finished his degree at Goddard College and with friends and collaborators, created the Vermont Alliance, a state-wide grass roots community organization dedicated to empowering local towns to make change with the help of community volunteers.  There were local groups established in Barre, Montpelier, Winooski, Bristol, and Hartford. 

In 1976 Stephen met Cheryl Ricker and they were married on January 28, 1978. At that celebration Stephen and Cheryl committed to make a life together. The rest is history. 

Stephen went on to work in several social change-related capacities, including being on the staff of the Montpelier based Vermont Alliance and Executive Director for Central Vermont Community Action Council, Barre, VT, Program Director for the Central Pennsylvania Community Action Council, Harrisburg, PA and on the staff of Central Florida Development Corporation in Bartow FL.  He and his wife together owned and operated the Café Delisle Restaurant , in Winter Haven, FL.  At retirement age Stephen worked for a Goodwill Book Store in Bradenton, FL, mainly so he could read as many books as he wanted for free and get paid for it.  He enjoyed meeting and talking with all the interesting customers who came into the store. 

He was an avid reader and over the years enjoyed discussing and debating both books and national and local politics with friends.  But he was not ever allowed to do that with his family!  He loved camping at Groton State Park with his family and friends.  He found nothing more satisfying than building a huge fire and staying up late into the night debating Vermont politics with his close friends. 

 Finally, in 2023, upon arriving in Brookfield, Stephen enjoyed taking care of the yard, sitting on the deck and enjoying the beautiful view of the Vermont he dearly loved. Although it was short lived, he very much liked the Brookfield Library being close to home. It was also important for Stephen to spend additional time with his grandson, Aaron Krummen, and close Vermont friends.

Stephen leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Cheryl, his son, Peter Hedger and wife Diane of Aruba and Chandler, AZ, daughter, Amie Golden and husband, Greg, of Bradenton, FL and 8 amazing grandchildren and 3 beloved great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Preceding Stephen in death were his parents, Kathryn C. and Harold E. Hedger, sister, Patty Ruann Hedger and daughter, Tammy Lynn Ricker Vanhorn.

The family would like to thank the oncology team at CVMC for their kind and loving support during Stephen’s illness and granddaughters, Megan Hawkins and Hailey Golden, for their constant phone support, helping their papa navigate the complicated medical world.  Grandson, Aaron Krummen, and his wife, Alissa, were a daily support to Stephen.  They checked on him each and every day and spent hours by his side helping and supporting him during this difficult transition from life.  And his children were always there with video calls and surprise visits from Aruba and Florida. 

The family also want to thank longtime friends, David Gardner, Mary Carlson, Susan Kimmerly, Eugenie Doyle, Stephen McArthur and Rickey Diamond for their love, loyalty, phone calls and visits to Stephen throughout this journey.  He was forever thankful to have them as his closest friends.

Stephen’s wish is to not have a memorial, but a good old fashion Vermont pot luck gathering of family and close friends, at a later date in Brookfield, Vermont, at the convenience of the family. 

Contributions in Stephen’s honor may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation at www.aclu.org/memory or to Bayada Hospice Foundation at https://www.bayada.com/hospicefoundation.