Obituary of Paul Wendell Hilderbrand

Bedford – Paul Wendell Hilderbrand, 91, of Bedford, died at 9:30 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at I.U. Health Bloomington Hospital. Born September 15, 1923, in Palestine, IL, he was the son of Arthur and Nannie Rose (McAndrews) Hilderbrand. He married Lois Anna Hale on October 12, 1947 and she survives. He retired as the vice-president and loan officer at Stone City Bank. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving with the 735th Tank Battalion serving under General George S. Patton and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the French Legion of Merit Award which is the highest military award given to a member of a foreign military service. He was a member of the Bedford Free Methodist Church, Bedford Lions Club, American Legion Gillen Post #33, Heltonville Area Veterans and V.F.W. Survivors include his wife, Lois, of Bedford; a daughter, Lisa Starr and husband, Bud, of Bedford; three sons, Roger Hilderbrand and wife, Sandi, of Phoenix, AZ, Phillip Hilderbrand and wife, Sandy of Indianapolis, Dennis Hilderbrand and wife, Terri, of Washington, IN; grandchildren, Dylan Hilderbrand and wife, Martha, of Bloomington, Julie Morris and husband, Richard, of Evansville, Father Ryan Hilderbrand of Huntingburg, Willyam Santosalim of Washington, IN, Britton Starr of Evansville, Jessica “JJ” Starr of Mooresville, NC; a great grandson, Oscar Hilderbrand of Bloomington; three brothers, George Hilderbrand and Kenneth Hilderbrand both of Columbus, William Hilderbrand and wife, Helen, of Freetown; a sister-in-law, Betty Hilderbrand of Bloomington; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Harold, Chloral and Robert Hilderbrand and a sister, Alice Marie Kellams. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 20th at the Bedford Free Methodist Church with Father Ryan Hilderbrand, Pastor Reed Beard and Pastor John Lane officiating. Burial will follow in Mundell Cemetery where military rites will be accorded at the graveside by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion and D.A.V. Chapter 2. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, April 19th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence County Community Foundation for the Hilderbrand Fund for Hickory Grove Cemetery.