Joseph Curtis Hackler

Joseph Curtis Hackler, 74 of Beaver Creek Township, Michigan, passed away surrounded by family on November 1, 2025. He was a very intelligent and capable man who greatly cherished his family and close friends. He was known for his great sense of humor and story-telling.

Joe was born on February 10, 1951, in Gastonia, North Carolina to parents Warren Hardin Hackler and Geneva Dockery Hackler. He was the middle child of 7 children born to Warren and Geneva. His childhood was spent living between Oakland County, Michigan and Cherokee County, North Carolina, where most of his family roots came from.

Joe entered the United States Navy in April of 1969, where he earned his GED and was trained as an aviation structural mechanic during the Vietnam Era. At the young age of 18, he married his childhood sweetheart, Rhea Jo Edgerton, on January 10, 1970. They had 55 beautiful years of marriage together. They were married for 16 years before they had their daughter, Geneva, named after his mother. Joe always wanted a daughter and she fulfilled God’s gift to him as a devoted daughter who spent many times cooking, gardening and reading with him. Joe and Geneva loved to debate many issues. Those close to Joe mentioned how Geneva is definitely her father’s daughter.

After leaving the Navy, Joe went to college and eventually obtained a job with GSA Fleet Management as a transportation specialist for 29 years. He retired in March of 2011 and spent most of his time at Avion Palms Retirement Park, Bowling Green, Florida until the summer of 2024, at which time he decided to spend the rest of his days with his immediate family in Crawford County, Michigan. Since he moved to Michigan, many of his friends at Avion, expressed how they missed him at the hot tub, telling his stories and jokes.

Joe is survived by his wife, Rhea Edgerton Hackler, daughter, Geneva (Michael) Simons and 3 grandchildren, Trent, Ellie, and Rose Simons.  He is also survived by his siblings, Donna Bell, James (Nancy) Hackler, Philip (Sharon) Hackler, Nancy (Ray) Ingram, Kathy (Faisal) Sevilla; in-laws David (Kimberly) Edgerton, Clint (Helen) Edgerton, Inez “Lee” Edgerton and brother-in-law, Ken Carbury. He is survived, also, by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Father, Warren, Hardin Hackler in 1985, Mother Geneva Dockery Hackler in 2003, sibling Judy Carbury in 2023, brother-in-law, Lonnie Deel in 1985, brother-in-law, Glenn Edgerton in 2012, brother-in-law, Robert Bell in 2013.

A memorial visitation will be held at Hill Funeral Home, located at 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The memorial service will take place at the same venue on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, starting at 11:00 am with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am.

Inurnment with military honors will occur at Great Lakes National Cemetery, located at 4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI.

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