Donald Joseph Hildebrant

Donald Joseph Hildebrant, 81, of Jacksonville, Florida and formerly of Chandler, Indiana passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at McGraw Community Hospice Center, Jacksonville, Florida. He was born November 14, 1943 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Delbert Jack Hildebrant, Sr. and Charlotte Beatrice (McMillen) Hildebrant.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Patricia (Bender) Hildebrant. He is also survived by six siblings: Jack Hildebrant, Jr., Leroy Hildebrant (Rita), Charlene Shaw, Maurice Hildebrant (Sharon), Michael Hildebrant (Dianne), and Sheila Summers (Brian). Brother-in-law Frank Riffert, many nieces and nephews, and cousins Sandy Pace (Don) & Eddie Seibert (Jan).

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings: Virginia Riffert and Dennis Ray Hildebrant (infant).

Don was a 1961 graduate of Castle High School. He enjoyed sports and played as a fullback on the first Castle High School football team. He was also a member of the wrestling team. Don proudly served 6 years in the National Guard-a division of the Army.

He had a variety of work experience from a young boy working on the Williams Farm on Jenner Road, weeding and harvesting 5 ½ acres of strawberries at home, and assisting his Dad and his brothers in building the family home on Jenner Road in Chandler. Don previously worked at Ideal Dairy in Evansville, Alcoa Aluminum Works and United Parcel Service (UPS). Don started his 31 year UPS career as a package car driver in Evansville, Indiana. He then worked his way up in management at UPS Centers in Lafayette, IN, Versailles, IN, Indianapolis, IN, Yukon, Oklahoma, and Jacksonville, Florida. He completed his career at UPS in corporate labor management at the UPS corporate center in Sandy Springs, Georgia. In his spare time, Don was a gifted woodworker and enjoyed building eight wooden grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, and furniture.

Don and Patty Bender were married Nov. 4, 1967 at Chandler United Methodist Church in Chandler, IN. They enjoyed traveling and seeing the sights on their many adventures around the world. They also enjoyed spending time with family and the many lifelong friends they made along the way.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Alexander Funeral Home-Newburgh Chapel, 5333 Hwy. 261, Newburgh, IN 47630 with Pastor Tommy Epperson officiating. Burial will follow at the Bender family cemetery in Chrisney, IN. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Alexander Funeral Home-Newburgh Chapel.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Don’s caregivers in Jacksonville, FL for their dedicated care of Don in the last several years: Rene Gotengco, Randy DeLuna, Romeo Orcino, Marben Silva, and nurse Amie Mendoza. Also, a special thanks to McGraw Community Hospice Center, Jacksonville, FL for their loving and compassionate care of Don and his family the last two weeks.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana, 8431 Bryn Mawr Ave. Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com