Charles E. Hildebrandt, 78, of Delphi, died at 6:32 p.m. on May 23, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.  He was admitted on May 22 and died unexpectedly.
  Born in Delphi on July 25, 1925, he was the son of Earl and Clara F. Weaver Hildebrandt.  He was a 1943 graduate of Delphi High School.
  His marriage was to P. Jean Hughes on June 16, 1951, in Camden, and she survives.
  Mr. Hildebrandt was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from December 1943 to April 30, 1946.  He was in the 115th Infantry, stationed in the European Theater.  He received the following medals and awards, American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon, W/1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart and Victory Medal-World War II.
  He worked for the former DELCO Automotive, now Delphi Automotive in Kokomo, for 25 years, retiring in 1991.
  He was a partner in Goyer & Hildebrandt Alignment Shop in Delphi for several years, and also Daniels & Hildebrandt Standard Gas Station in Delphi.  He had worked for Lynn Fisher Ditching, doing ditch work for area farmers.
  He was a 66-year member of Delphi United Methodist Church, Delphi American Legion Post #75, UAW #292, National Rifle Association and Carroll County Conservation Club.
  Mr. Hildebrandt was an avid big game hunter, going on trips to Wyoming, and enjoyed fishing and vegetable gardening.
  Also surviving are a daughter, Patti J. "PJ" Everett of Delphi; a niece who was raised in his home, Susie Manahan of Long Beach, Calif., a nephew who was raised in his home, Tom Stipp of Los Angeles, Calif.; two brothers, Frank Hildebrandt of Lafayette and Joe Hildebrandt of Delphi; three sisters, Ruth Rhine and Mildred Daniels, both of Delphi, and Mary J. Odano of Canoga Park, Calif., and three grandsons.
  He was preceded in death by a sister.
  Visitation will be today (Wednesday) from 5 to 8 p.m. at Abbott Funeral Home.  Service will be May 27 at 10 a.m., at Delphi United Methodist Church, with Rev. Todd Ladd officiating.  The body will lie in state one hor prior to the service.  Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery in Delphi, with Delphi American Legion Military Rites.
  Memorials may be made to Carroll County Cancer Association.
 
Obituary notice taken from the Carroll County Comet, Wednesday, May 26, 2004