Jerome A. Hildenbrand, 83, of Mariah Hill, passed away surrounded by family on September 13, 2026, at Scenic Hills at the Monastery in Ferdinand. Jerome was born in Fulda on February 21, 1943, to George and Corina (Boehm) Hildenbrand. He married Irene Alvey May 7, 1966 in Tell City; she preceded him in death December 30, 2007. He married Mary Joanne Lehr November 23, 2012; she preceded him in death February 22, 2019.
Jerome was a 1961 graduate of St. Ferdinand High School. Jerome served in the Indiana National Guard. Through his career, he drove over three million accident free miles with Kimball International, from which he retired after 35 years. He belonged to Santa Claus Legion Post 242 where he served in the Honor Guard. He was a board member of Freedom Reins, Mariah Hill Cemetery Board and Mariah Hill Sewer Board. He was a member of Mariah Hill Conservation Club. In his free time, he enjoyed mowing the grass, spending time on his farm in Fulda, riding 4-wheelers, a cold Miller High Life, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Jerome is survived by his four children, Mike Hildenbrand of Logansport, Karen Schmitt of Jasper, Lenny (Ellen) Hildenbrand of Louisville, KY and Vince (Alisa) Hildenbrand of Jasper; three stepchildren, Michael (Lindsey) Lehr of Larkspur, CO, Jim (Heather) Lehr of Carmel and Yvonne Lehr of Ferdinand; 10 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Mary Louise Berger of St. Marks, Melvin (Betty) Hildenbrand of Jasper and Kenny (Karen) Hildenbrand of Mariah Hill; and sister-in-law, Diane Hildenbrand of Greenwood.
Besides his wives, Jerome was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Hildenbrand, sister Kathleen Hildenbrand, brother-in-law Paul Berger, son-in-law Glen Schmitt, and step-granddaughter, Hadley Lehr.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, September 21 at 10 a.m. CDT at Mary Help of Christians Church in Mariah Hill, with burial to follow in the St. Boniface Church Cemetery in Fulda. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. CDT Sunday, September 20, at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand, and also at Mary Help of Christians on Monday from 9 a.m. CDT until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mary Help of Christians Cemetery Fund or Santa Claus American Legion Post 242. Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com. Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand has been entrusted with arrangements.